Pastor John was discharged from the hospital after seven days and Paul was able to visit them throughout that period at reasonable intervals. As a result of his kind gesture, Mary was so pleased. The extent of care and love from Paul was really felt. The pastor and his wife where so glad, that their daughter could have such a wonderful friend. Apparently, Mary’s love for Paul increased. Mary was still going to high school while Paul had graduated. Each day, after school hours, Mary would visit Paul to spend some nice time with him, but yet she tried as much as possible to keep their relationship platonic.
The interesting part of the whole relationship between Mary and Paul was that both parents seem to be in support of their relationship. Paul was regarded as a son in the family and he truly deserved that. It made everyone in the neighborhood think we were more than just cousin brothers. I remember my mum asking Paul a couple of times about his girlfriend, just to know how they were faring. This gave Paul the liberty to bring Mary into the house whenever he pleases.
The distance between my home and Mary’s was just a stone throw. At the end of the day, the pastor’s family and my dad’s become friends. There were times when both families would have dinner together either at Mary’s or Paul’s. This gave Mary and Paul the privileged to see each other regularly. They became fond of each other. At this point the pressure from Paul become much for Mary and that made her tend to be free with him at times. She would allow him hold her but still controls him, and never allowed him to kiss her. Paul was still patient with her, believing that as her love for him grows, she would someday give him a kiss.
That day almost came. Paul and Mary had to reschedule their swim date. It was such a lively experience especially for Paul, because he had every opportunity he had ever wanted. It was about 16:00GMT of that fateful day when Mary and Paul left for a nearby river. The water of the river was cool to their liking; Paul couldn’t resist the desire of holding Mary so close by the shore of the river. Mary couldn’t swim very well but Paul was such an expert. I could remember when I and Paul went for a swim in a river so close to our hometown. He was so good at swimming. Even when I was tired and wanted to drown; if not for Paul I would have been gone. He made use of his swimming skills to save me that day.
Paul was able to coach Mary on how to improve her swimming techniques. During the swimming session, there was this close connection between them, they were so close and friendly, they were intimate and Paul was so fulfilled even though he was not given the opportunity for a kiss. The swimming session lasted for about two and half hours. Mary was so happy, as they both held each other while they walked to the house.