On the other side, Andrew was soaking himself in the warm stream. He allowed his body to relax, letting the cool water massage gently across his strong muscles. From a distance, his broad back and sturdy shoulders invoked trust and admiration. Suddenly, he turned, moving closer to the shore. Mary’s cheeks blushed a rosy hue, and she stammered, unable to find words.
“Why are you sitting here? Do you want to join me in the water?”
His proposition, somehow coarser than expected, coupled with his playful yet genuine smile, caused her to recoil in defense. Before she could plan an escape, he continued his pursuit.
“What are you afraid of? Besides you, there’s only me here.”
Mary’s breathing became uneven, but she finally responded.
“I… I don’t know how to swim, so I’m scared to enter the water.”
His laugh was irresistibly charming.
“Come here, and I’ll teach you to swim.”
Mary pulled her legs back, moving further onto the shore.
“I’m a Fire sign. I don’t mix well with water.”
Andrew’s laughter was playful as he inched closer, pressing not only with his words.
“Well, you’re compatible with my sign, then.”
Once again, Mary backed away, pushing his hand off lightly, but her eyes were squeezed shut.
“People will see us.”
Andrew let out a hearty laugh, stepping back before saying.
“I was just teasing. Are you scared? I’ll go get a water bottle and come back.”
As he stepped, his influential figure unfolded before her eyes, causing Mary to turn away in embarrassment. His body, concealed only by a tiny swimming trunk, was exposed unabashedly. He seemed unbothered by this, but Mary was timid, and her bashfulness only seemed to amuse him more.
Perhaps Andrew was blessed with an enviable physique by birth. The more Mary spent time with him, the more she realized his distinctive traits that others seldom possessed.
No sooner had Andrew left than Johny, Lani, and Jessy came running. They were excited to soak themselves in the enticing warm stream. No matter how much they coaxed, Mary stubbornly refused to enter the water.
“Splash!”
Jessy unexpectedly gave her a strong push from the side; Mary fell into the water. The trio laughed and teased while she struggled in the water, which was deep enough to submerge her. She tried to paddle vigorously with her feet but couldn’t stand upright or return to the shore. As Mary attempted to keep her head above the water for air, she toppled forward, resembling a baby frog paddling its limbs to no avail.
Meanwhile, the trio on the shore thought Mary was merely pretending, which added to their amusement.
“Stop playing and get out. We know you’re just pretending. The water isn’t that deep.”
“Exactly, stop with the drama.”
“You better get out on your own. We’re not going to rescue you, so stop waiting.”
After a spell, the air grew solemnly still. The trio began to feel a creeping terror, their fears stirring them into a state of frenzy.
“Crash!”
The resounding noise shattered the serenity of the moment. Andrew threw down the water bottle he had been holding and, like a diver, plunged into the depths of their pool. But he did not return empty-handed; he brought a tiny, adorable girl back. His swift actions left the others petrified, their minds struggling to comprehend what had just unfolded.
“Mary! Mary!”
He laid Mary down gently on the ground. Slapping her cheeks lightly, calling out her name, he awaited a response. But there was no answering call, no gentle sigh. Andrew acted quickly, employing life-saving techniques with skill and strength, striving to push out the water lodged inside her.
Mary lay unconscious, but her mind was filled with calls for help.
“Help! Help!”
The memory of a luxurious tourist ship, teeming with excited passengers, capsizing on its way to an island resurfaced. The ship slowly sank, the cries for help mingling with the chaos of tears and terror. People jostled each other, desperate to get to the ship’s highest point, and then fought over the life preservers brought by the rescue team.
A twelve-year-old girl, alone on the ship, screamed and cried in fear and despair. She frantically searched for her parents, but the furious waves had already claimed half of the boat. She stood on the bow of the vessel, the railing dangerously close to the churning water. Continuous waves caused the ship to shudder violently. The girl clung to the corridor, but a sudden surge sent her tumbling aside, her hand slipping, and a scream of terror ripped through her.
“Give me your hand! Hurry!”
A boy’s voice shouted, causing her to turn her head. He was on a lifebuoy given by a crew member. She shuffled closer to the railing, extending a trembling hand to him. His long, calloused, but warm hand grabbed her small, frail one.
“Jump down here! Quick!”
She wailed in terror, her face as pale as a sheet, devoid of a drop of blood.
“No! No! I’m too scared!”
Hurry up, or you’ll die!
“A…a…a…a!”
Water gushed out from Mary’s mouth forcefully. Her eyes gradually fluttered open to find many eyes staring at her. She recognized that he was the boy who had saved her on that day – Andrew.
Mary stood up, clutching his neck and crying her heart out as if she had never been permitted such a release. She held him tightly as though frightened he might slip away. Oblivious to the multitude of onlookers, she seemed like a fairy-tale princess, awakened by her prince after long years of slumber in the forest.
The initial panic and fright subsided, leaving a calming aura.
The crowd began to disperse, leaving the pair their private sanctuary. Andrew tenderly held Mary’s arm. Words were unnecessary by the warm, bubbling stream; their hearts spoke volumes.
“Be brave, my little lamb,” he whispered, “everything is over now. Don’t be afraid anymore. I’ll always be by your side.”
He gently brushed her wet hair aside, revealing an innocent, moon-like face, radiating purity amidst the moon night. He gazed intently at her before pulling her into a gentle embrace. His eyes have never been as warm or infatuated as they were then. Love had breathed new life into his spirit, like a barren tree sprouting fresh shoots after the rain.
His heart pounding against her, Mary finally understood what it felt like to be cherished and loved. She believed in destiny, for how else could they have been reunited?
Her fragile heart felt like it was being lulled to sleep by the sweet melodies of love.
Observing her discreetly, he swiftly wrapped a shawl around her, shielding her from the cold and covering the form-fitting, wet clothes clinging to her body. Mary blushed, standing still, allowing him to act freely. His thoughtful, considerate, and adept movements were utterly captivating.
Little by little, Mary began to sink as she ran out of strength to struggle. Her listless eyes closed, the sounds around her faded and disappeared, and the rippling water gradually settled into an eerie calm. She was like a stone thrown into a pond, causing initial ripples that eventually left no trace.