When I opened my eyes, several things came as a surprise to me.
First of all, it was nearly night-time. I looked around in alarm. The stars had begun to emerge (though most remained behind invisible clouds). But the moon...it was the most luminous full moon; it glowed like a clump of fireflies in the mid-blue sky. I must've fallen asleep! Panicked, I swung back around and tried to push myself out of the water.
But I was already on the small sand mound in the middle of the river. How did I float over here? That would explain the uncontrollable shivers. I rubbed my arms attempting to warm them in the cool night air. My teeth were wavering like the ripples of moonlight across the water.
The most shocking was the voice.
So, was that voice reality, or dream? I am certain I heard my name being called.
"Ziio?"
And there it was again. I knew that voice. I squinted into the semi-darkness of the bank...no. Surely, not...
"H-Haytham?" I stammered.
It had to be. His glossy black hair sailing; his tall frame edging graciously towards the water. But he was almost unrecognisable, especially in the distance. Haytham had removed is triangular hat, blue coat, and blades. He was wearing just a white shirt and black trousers. He looked so...youthful. Handsome. Relaxed. The moon's mild light glinted on his hair (a little looser than usual). But he had come. He'd come.
Like a tide on the ocean Haytham pulled me closer. I waded through the water, my heart pulsing at double speed. We had agreed to meet tonight, I remembered suddenly. We arranged to be alone here.
How could I have forgotten?
You need not worry now.
The moment I stepped out of the water, Haytham hurtled towards me. I found myself running, pulling the strap of my dress back up as I did so, before throwing myself into his arms. My skin tingled when I felt his cotton sleeve brushing my still soaking back. This proximity was enough to make me tremble, despite how relaxed I felt. But he was here. With me. Just the two of us, entwined under the peaking stars.
Haytham's chest heaved madly. I could feel it thudding, the vibrations sending shock waves through my heart. He didn't seem to care that I was soaking wet, or the fact that I'd fallen asleep on the sand hill. And (thank the goddess) he hadn't seen my wound.
"What were you doing over there?" he asked over my shoulder.
"Oh...I was, erm...bathing."
"Why?" I felt his hand slip across my back and over my shoulder-blade, wrenching when it reached my bloodied dress. Haytham stepped back a little to see what it was...and his eyes bulged in horror.
"It is nothing," I said hastily, covering the stain up with my hand.
"Ziio. What happened?" With tenderness that made me numb, he touched the crimson cloth.
So I told him about the unexpected attack earlier on that day. He gasped at such a dramatic happening, but once again I dismissed it.
"I managed to kill the beast and the wound is already closing," I shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm not concerned, so neither should you be."
"Oh, Ziio..." he sighed. He leaned forward and kissed my lips, bringing my heart to a standstill. I would've protested; said that he needn't be so soft on me, but it was Haytham. He was already changing my thought patterns. Did he know how much control he had over my speech, movement, mind and soul?
We sat down on the sandy bank, our feet dipping into the cool water. It reflected the outstretch of scenic twilight before us. Already the gleaming water was setting a mood for us; I could feel a beautiful magic that I couldn't describe flowing through my veins. Were the flawless stars, moon's soft gleam and gentle ripples of the water making a difference?
Haytham and I spoke for a long time by the river about random but wonderful things, such as my tribe, the forest, England...even eagles. How we managed to reach that topic escapes me. But just watching his face, his pure white face as he talked cheerfully...it was an entrancing sight. The glittering sky reflecting in his already bright eyes added to his allure. Was he feeling this, too? I certainly thought so, when he apologised for 'behaving awkwardly' at the cave entrance.
"Awkward behaviour? What do you mean?"
"Erm...well, you know."
"No, I don't know," I giggled, "tell me."
"I'm sorry for behaving so strangely. I told you something ridiculous; that I had to go. I'm not entirely sure what came over me. I wanted to stay; to be with you. But my mind and heart...well, they were in different worlds."
"Oh." I hadn't expected these words at all. "Forgiven. I suspected something was wrong."
"You panicked me, that's all."
"Panicked? How?"
Haytham looked coyly into the distance. As the starlight skated across the whites of his eyes, that unexplained magic turned my abdomen over in excitement. "Unusual things happen when man and woman collide, Ziio. I think we both are aware of it."
I wasn't sure how to respond.
Say something!
No, stay silent.
No! Speak!
"Yes. These are strange words, coming from a man such as yourself...but you speak the truth."
The night went on; the sky became steadily darker and the stars slowly brighter. How late was it? I didn't really care. I was with Haytham, so time stood still for us. Nothing mattered. Not the tribe, not Haytham's men. It was just the two of us in our private encampment. Well, not so much an encampment as the entire riverside under the stunning sky to ourselves. I did not want this to ever end.
Despite the tender nature of our conversations, I still could not ignore the hidden passion between us. It was invisible at the time, but I could tell that a lightning spark would erupt at any moment. If this was the only private time Haytham and I could easily meet, then I'd expected more. Despite myself I had even hoped for the three magical, time-stopping, heart-throbbing, untouchable words.
He won't say it. Hope for nothing.
He may.
He will not.
Perhaps I should prompt him.
That would be bringing trouble.
Perhaps I should say the words.
No.
This intense battle rolled in my head throughout the evening. Even when Haytham casually asked how deep the river was, I was still thinking. What was he suggesting? Was he thinking that...
No. Ziio, how could you think of such a thing? Stop, stop, STOP! It was a casual question. It did not mean...goodness, no! How insolent of you!
"How deep is what? The river?"
"No," he chuckled sarcastically, "the scar on your cheek."
I tipped my head, baffled. "Haytham, I have no scar on my–"
I stopped. Already he flashed a mischievous grin like a sly wolf. "Hey! You tricked me!" I gave my revenge by leaning forward, cupping my hands in the river flicking a small amount of water in his face. He yelped in surprise, quickly recovering himself.
"Why, you little minx," he said playfully, shaking his head. Before I could respond I received a larger wave of ice-cold water all over my chest. I ducked to avoid him...but it didn't work.
"Stop!" I cried happily. "Stop it!"
Revenge.
Hmm...what can I do?
Haytham bent forward to draw more water.
Push him into the river!
No! I cannot do that!
Why not? It would be funny.
So I did. When he turned to throw the contents of his hands at me, his triumphant smile slid off his face to a look of momentary terror. A dainty push from my hand sent him forward, straight into the cold, undulating water. The splash diverted the flawless reflection of the breathtaking sky in a series of fast-moving silence was broken; the atmosphere changed quicker than a gunshot.
Haytham emerged, completely stunned and dripping wet. I stifled my laughter with difficulty. But, as I gloated over my revenge, Haytham snatched my ankle and – with surprising strength – sent me plunging into the river's freezing depths. I was taken by surprise too much to shriek, but when I landed my skin stood on end; my body shook uncontrollably. I emerged from under the wave, gasping for breath. Haytham had started a war in the water, and I was going to make him pay. I whipped around to face him...but he wasn't there.
Where is he? Under the water?
He is possibly trying to take me by surprise.
He'd better come up soon.
Ten seconds went by. No bubbles from anywhere in the water. Surely he should've come up to breathe by now?
Twenty seconds. He was a skilled swimmer and a practised breath-sustainer, I supposed. As I trembled like a rodent and shuddered in the cold, I scanned the surface for clues as to where Haytham was.
Thirty seconds. Now I was beginning to fret. No-one I knew could hold their breath for that long. Was he alright?
Forty seconds. Nothing. I went from concerned to panicked. "Haytham? Haytham?"
Where is he? Where? Come on Haytham, where are you? Please, please...emerge! Or else you've...no. NO.
Fifty seconds. My heart rate rose with every passing moment. The deafening silence sent even more panic surging through my head. What if he'd drowned? What if he's hit his head? What if he was hurt, or worse. I spun wildly in the water, searching for any sign of Haytham's being. I had to find him by myself. I needed to dive. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath and preparing to immerse myself into the icy depths. I must find him. One, two, three...