“ I don't mean bad anyways Ember, just that it helps take my mind off things, Caro doesn't like it though, not speaking because I smoke it for her, but because she believes it endangers my health, either way, I am hiding it from.....”, he threw it down immediately, as well as the newspaper so as to cover the cigarette as he went past me. I turned around to see why he just did that all of a sudden, it was Caro, she was coming down from the van and Williams had to hide it away from her immediately.
I wonder why he keeps doing it knowing that Caro wouldn't like seeing him do it, he was now holding Caro's hand, trying to help her down, with their backs still on me as he was directing her to the back of the Van, I picked the newspaper which already had the sign of a burnt area, caused by the cigarette, I matched out the spark of fire on the cigarette and throws it out of view, for the benefit of all of us.
I saw them returning out from the back of the van and heading into the van, I walked to them, standing behind as I waited for them to gently get inside. I followed suit, seating next to Caro, Williams shot a brief glance at me before the ignition of the van engine, we gently drove away from their as I kept my eyes busy with the paper in my hands.
What is this with the date?, this is an old newspaper, why does he has to just stand around reading old news?, I threw it aside, realizing that he probably was holding the paper for the purpose he used it for, covering up if he saw Caro stepping out.
We drove to a park, a swimming park filled with boys and girls my age, many peoples at the twenties like Williams and Caro were also there enjoying themselves. “ We are enjoying ourselves today, bills on me baby, want to make it up to you for missing out on your birthday.....”, Williams said to Caro who now wore a smile on her face, “ You didn't have to you know?, You were all busy last weekend, couldn't blame you for missing out....”, “ yet I believe I have to ”, Williams said again, now winking at her, the gesture making her burst out into laughter.
Williams got down from the Van, went around the corner of the other door where Caro sat and opened the door, “ It would be an honor to have your hand... My Lady ”. Smile crept into my face hearing him say those words to Caro who couldn't hide the happiness washing through her as she offers her hand to Williams who requested for it, I followed them down as we went into the park.
After signing in and registering our names to the roster, we were offered some towels to use in cleaning our body after we are done. I did went to swimming once with auntie Margaret, it was her birthday that day, she requested I go with her because she hardly celebrates it, always busy, but that day was a Sunday, quite lucky that day I believe, I didn't actually enjoy my time a lot there, I can just say it was preferable, but right now, it's something different, it feels like it's my first time going to swimming, I think I really had that drive in me to enjoy myself in the water today.
Williams was at the extreme corner of the pool with Caro whom he seem to be acting more as a guardian to, than one who came to enjoy his time swimming. Caro was getting closer to giving birth, so Williams is acting more cautious, trying to protect both his woman and his unborn kid, I was just swimming around the pool with a lot of kids also in the water as well as adults, without trying, here I am having fun around the kids, something I never did for once back from wherever I came from to this heaven like world where I don't have to put in a lot of effort to be around people.
If this was a dream, I wish never to wake up, but it's not, I don't know what it is, I don't know where I am, I don't even know whether I am already dead or what, but whatsoever it is, I like it here.
“ Hey dear.... Have been watching your moves all lately, you are really good with water, wonder if you're a fish or something....”, A boy spoke beside me, a gentle smile on his face, looking like he was waiting to see my reaction concerning what he just said.
“ I don't think I am as good as you say, this is my second time getting inside a pool....”, I replied to him. I know that look on his face right now, he looks like he was taken aback by my confession, more like he couldn't believe it, I couldn't believe it either, I am just lucky that I have been seeing quite a lot of movies with so many swimming scenes.
“ I'm impressed, I have been in the water for quite sometime now but I couldn't get myself to become comfortable with the water....”, he said. Our conversation is something I have never had before, feels more like we have known each other for quite a long time now, but no, we don't.
He's still a boy, more like he's on my shoulder height, I am possibly older than him with something like maybe three years, I can say, but the way he speaks to me comfortably, I quite like it.
“ I think I should go back to see my uncle now, maybe we can see soon ”, I swim away from him as I headed to Williams location.
“ Ryan!... My name is Ryan!”, the little boy shouted to my hearing as I just turned and replied him with just a smile before heading to Williams and Caro.