‘What flower is that?’ she asked, pointing out a row of tall pink and orange flowers.
Azam looked. ‘Snapdragons,’ he replied.
‘Such a peculiar name,’ she said.
‘It’s because the flowers resemble the face of a dragon,’ Azam explained, picking one for her. He squeezed the flower laterally, then released, and it did rather look like a dragon opening and closing its mouth.
They continued on, and she pointed out a spotted toad, staring at them with big black eyes as they walked past.
‘Mr. Toad,’ Azam said, tipping an imaginary hat. Sonya laughed. She continued to point out different things as they walked, trying to get him to lighten up: flowers and mushrooms; and all the leaves that had returned to the trees; the flowers in bloom; the birds chirping.
Slowly, he relaxed, answering her questions, responding to her commentary, smiling knowingly as if he realized exactly what she was doing.
They made it to the lake, and the day was much warmer than it had been the last time. Sunshine glittered across the waves, and the waterfall was in full force, rather than a trickle.
‘You were right,’ she said, eyes wide with awe. ‘The waterfall is beautiful.’ The waters were smooth as they flowed down the rocks, not rushing forward, but serene and beautiful.
He smiled. ‘All that rain has paid off.’
He turned around and she did too as they took off their clothes. She had grown entirely comfortable around him, and she was surprised to find not even a drop of shyness remained. In contrast, she had the strange desire to let him see her, which was a new feeling.
Azam finished undressing first, and she heard the sound of him entering the water. She turned to glance at him, but he wasn’t looking in her direction, though she did see his ears were tinged pink.
Sonya waded into the water, and he finally turned to her. Droplets of water dripped from his eyelashes, rolling down his cheeks to his mouth. She wanted to follow their path with her finger.
‘Do you remember how to tread water?’ he asked.
Sonya blinked, clearing her salacious thoughts. ‘Um,’ she replied. ‘Maybe? But help me anyway.’
He approached and took her hands, slowly bringing her out until her feet were off the ground. She kicked them like he had taught her, managing well enough, but when he let go of her hands, she lost her balance. Her face slipped under, and she sputtered. ‘Azam!’
‘Hey, you’ve got this,’ he said, taking her hands again. ‘Just relax. You’ll bob down a little but then bounce back up, don’t worry.’
Taking a deep breath, she began treading the water again. He let go of one hand, and he was right; she did bob back up. Then he let go of her other hand, and it was scary, but he was there. She knew he would catch her if she went under, and she had to be brave.
And then she was doing it on her own!
‘I want to go to the waterfall,’ she said.
Azam laughed. ‘Don’t get ahead of yourself, it’s deeper out there,’ he said. ‘Let’s practice your backstroke first. It’s the easiest way and means you can keep breathing.’
He had taught her a bit of the technique last time, but now he taught her the motions again. After some practice, she had it nailed down, and they swam over together. He swam facing forward, not on his back, and stopped her when they were nearly there, since she couldn’t see with her face up to the sky.
The waterfall was even prettier up close. She gasped, delighted. The water was so smooth, like glass, making a soft trickling sound as it hit the lake. She touched her hand to the fall, running her fingers through the water. She looked at him with wonder.
‘It’s so beautiful,’ she said.
‘It is,’ he replied, but he was looking at her.
Sonya swam closer to the waterfall, tilting her face under. It felt like being caressed, the water soft against her cheeks, almost tickling her. Azam did the same beside her, until they both made it to the other side of the waterfall.
There was a small space in front of the rocks, dark and hushed. She felt like she was encased in a safe little bubble. The space was tight and their bodies were pressed close together. Her heartbeat quickened, blood roaring in her ears. Azam’s eyes darkened as he drew even closer to her, and she felt herself drawn to him, like a moth to a flame.
The water was cold but she felt heated through. His gaze moved down to her lips, his eyes hooded. She watched his throat move as he swallowed.
His lips parted, and she felt a wave of desire simmering through her. She had never been kissed before, but she wanted badly to feel his lips against hers, their bodies together.
His mouth hovered dangerously close to hers, close enough to taste. It was overwhelming, her body firing off different sensations, half of them exciting, half of them frightening.
