บท 16: She drowned

The sun was no longer hot and people started to swim in the beach.

Antonio was trying out the kayak on the shallow part of the beach. His girl friend Greta was relaxing on the beach lounge while sipping her cocktails and browsing on her cell phone. Denise and her friends Cindy and Alice were swimming nearby.

Alex and Ryan where not fond of swimming so they decided to stay in the Marina to play billiards in the game room.

Denise was trying her best to get Antonio's attention not minding that his girl friend was nearby and throwing daggers at her. She has almost gotten near him when Antonio started to paddle his to the direction of the tip of the sand bar.

Aryana and Marlon were walking leisurely towards the sandbar. She was busy taking short clips and pictures while Marlon was just walking casually beside her. When they reached the tip of the sand bar, Aryana was tempted to take a dip. The water was so clear that she gave in to the temptation.

She handed her cell phone to Marlon and then took off her swim cover. Despite the simplicity of her swim suit she looked stunning and sexy and Marlon couldn't help but whistle while Aryana growled at him.

Antonio who has arrived ahead of them on his kayak did a double take on Aryana. Even from a distance, he still saw how beautiful Aryana's body was with curves at the right places. Her one piece is a bit conservative compared to those who were wearing bikinis but it made her more alluring.

He left his kayak on the beach, put on his goggles and headed to where Aryana was swimming. He dived underwater and observed. When he emerged he purposely bumped into her.

"Oopps sorry."

Aryana mumbled something as she tried to swim away from him.

"Don't go too far Aryana. I'll just go get some refreshments." Marlon shouted and left.

Aryana waved at him in acknowledgment.

Antonio dived underwater and he swam towards a pair of beautiful legs and sexy body in black one piece suit. As the water was very clear, he could clearly see Aryana's submerged body.

He was very near her when the body moved frantically away from him.

'Is she purposely running away from me. The more you run away, the more I will chase you.' He smiled with malice.

He can't hold his breath any longer so he went out of the water only to find out Aryana trying to save some one who was drowning.

'Is that Denise? That stupid girl!'

"Help… Help…" Denise was shouting and in panic. She was flailing her arms and legs. Once Aryana reached her she immediately cling on Aryana's neck and in the process making it difficult for Aryana.

"Denise listen to me.. Let go of my neck and I will hold you and we will swim towards the shore"

"No… don't leave me. I don't want to die.. I don't want to die!" Denise was crying hysterically.

Aryana is losing her strength. Denise hands on her was choking her. She saw a man swimming towards them.

"Save her please." With the remaining strength she has, she untangled from Denise and shoved her towards the man wearing a snorkeling goggles.

Denise was still flailing her arms and kicking her legs. One of her kicks hit Aryana hard on her stomach.

Antonio was able to hold Denise with one arm while using his other hand to swim towards the shore.

"Stay still and lie on your back. Don't make it difficult for me otherwise I'll drown you myself." He snapped at Denise angrily. He then turned to Aryana.

"Don't worry I got her." He wanted to be on her good side by becoming a hero.

There were now many spectators on the beach. They cheered when they saw that Denise was now safe. Antonio enjoyed the cheers and made it more dramatic. When they reached shallow water, he carried Denise bridal style. People were pointing their cell phones on him and taking photos. This will be good publicity.

Meanwhile, Aryana felt that her breath was being sucked out when she was hit by Denise's kick. She was able to stay afloat for a while, but now she cannot feel her left leg. She was pulled farther into the sea by the waves. She has no strength left. How ironic. She tried to save her cousin and in the end she was the one that will drown.

She flipped on her back to conserve her energy and tried to move her arms and swim back to the shore. She was hit by a sudden pain in her other leg.

Cramps.

A wave came crashing and she went underwater and no matter how hard she tried she cannot get out the of the water.

'Am I gonna die?'

"O my God, the lady disappeared! Someone save her!" a spectator shouted from the beach.

Antonio was dumbfounded. He forgot about Aryana. When he looked back indeed she was nowhere to be seen.

He felt a gust of wind pass him by.

'Is that Erik on his kayak?'

A few more men including Marlon were getting into the water for the rescue.

Aryana was light headed and was running out of oxygen. It seemed as if her lungs were about to burst.

Then she saw a light and a hand reaching out to her. She reached out for that hand.

'Daddy?' She saw him smile sweetly as he pulled her to the surface.

'Daddy…' She tried to hold on tight to her daddy's hand, her eyes unblinking. She was afraid that when she blinked her daddy would be gone.

Alas, she blinked and another man's face overlapped with that of her daddy.

Erik.

She faded into unconsciousness.

Erik put her on the kayak on her stomach. He pushed the kayak towards the sand bar. His movement was swift.

He laid down Aryana. "Call the doctor." He shouted. Marlon has reached his side and seeing Aryana's lifeless body, he panicked a bit but dialed the doctor's number.

Erik started giving her chest compressions.

'Now is not the time to panic.' He breathed deeply.

He then placed his lips on Aryana and force air into her lungs.

After 3 cycles of chest compression and rescue breaths, Aryana coughed and opened her eyes.

The crowd cheered.

Erik and Marlon heaved a sigh of relief.