"Daddy…." Aryana opened her eyes, and it brought Erik out of his reverie.
"You are awake. How are you feeling?" He asked in an anxious tone as he helped her sit on the bed.
"Erik…" she said in a weak voice. "Thank you for saving me."
"It is nothing. Your dad will haunt me in my dreams if I do not save you," Erik said half-jokingly.
"I saw Daddy down there. He was smiling at me. He held my hand and pulled me out of the water. I thought he came to get me and bring me to be with him and Mom. But when I blinked ….he … he … was gone, and it was you. Thank you." She said softly.
'So that was it. She thought she was looking at her father. But I wasn't smiling. I was panicking.' Erik was a little disappointed. He hoped that those looks of love and longing were for him.
"I have a confession to make," Aryana said in a small voice while Erik looked at her expectantly.
"I was envious and jealous of you." She blurted out without a preamble.
