Every year, our school hosts an annual picnic before our summer vacation. Everyone in school, including me, would always look forward to that day. As usual, Mrs Woods entered our classroom and began our discussion about the Cuban Revolution.699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPKh8zEu9T
"In my opinion," began Archie, holding a piece of paper. "I think Fidel Castro was a hero, Mrs Woods."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3ELsua4dJ
"Now hold on a minute, Archie," I objected, as I stood up. "That guy was a dictator and a commie. How could you say that he's a hero?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0y0UltUIqP
"Well Bugsy, Cuba was ruled by Batista, who was an actual dictator of Cuba. So Castro rallied his supporters to overthrow him and took over the country, promising his people to restore the balance in Cuba."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1g8EGc2Nr
"I agree, Archie, but Castro supported the Soviet Union, and they placed the missiles in Cuba, which what caused the Cuban Missile Crisis in the first place."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeE9scwwRFo
"Well, Castro did some good things in Cuba. I mean, education and healthcare was free, which was something the US did not have."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNWx0pZSHl
I nodded. "Its true, but he created a one-party government in Cuba and ruthlessly suppressed his political opponents, which violates the freedom of speech, Archie. Castro was the reason why a lot of Cubans fled from the country, including your parents"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM978V8paU
"Alright, you two," Mrs Woods chuckled. "I think we should give other people a chance in this discussion, yeah?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRXRO8r5Me
"Yes, Mrs Woods," he relented as he and I sat down, unsatisfied. "Now, does anyone want to give their thoughts about Cuban Revolution?" she asked the whole class, which Lisa raised her hand. "Cuba was a democratic country until Batista overthrew the last president and took over."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3xJel02s1
"And what happened after that, Lisa?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9A9ocjqjKh
She scratched the back of her dreadlocks as her eyelids moved upwards. "Well, the uprising failed at first but eventually Castro and his men managed to kick him out of office."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYwa4RI68K
Mrs Woods smiled. "Thank you, Lisa," she said, as she turned her head to Farouk. "Can you tell me what happened to Fulgencio Batista?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHlwIHPCpq
He shrugged. "He was killed."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRmwb6q4jj
Amra held her laughter. "No, stupid, he fled the country. He only died later in life."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmo2gSAHUTw
"I didn't know, Amra," his face turned red. "I'm not as smart as you, okay?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iHuQRJJ48
Mrs Woods threw her head back and let out a small laugh. "I know you can do better in the future, Farouk. I believe in you."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0kGk8MOys
She walked towards the table with her heels and rubbed the blackboard, dusting her hands. "Alright class, do you guys know what's happening tomorrow?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3o5fgewLZV
"We're gonna have a school picnic," Ferdinand cheered, swinging his arms. 699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TZhU5iYHd
"That is correct, Ferdinand," she gave him a thumbs up. "They'll be a school picnic tomorrow, which means all of you have to bring your own picnic mat, food and basket. We'll be waiting at the picnic area at 9.30 am so please come and have a good time, yeah."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEbXFkeIrF
As the bell rang, all of us stood up and thanked Mrs Woods as we grabbed our bags and headed out of the school gate. All three of us, Ferdinand, Naomi and I ambled on the field when I noticed Naomi smiling more than usual. "Is everything alright?" I asked. 699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2M8uN2TAf
She turned her head towards me and grinned. "I can't wait for our school picnic," she squeaked. "The last picnic I had was when I was in elementary school."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNVfOEKT3o
"Well be prepared, Naomi, 'cause I'm going to bring lemonade and apple pie," said Ferdinand.699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn9Caf2ooU
"That's something new," I replied, in a sarcastic tone.699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGEz6vkqeZ
"My apple pie was a hit in every occasion, Bugsy," he teased. "Besides, even you couldn't resist it, my love."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW4Ynj4D2l
I slapped his arms lightly, making him chuckle. "Well, I'm bringing cake this year," I smug. "Something new and refreshing this year, unlike you."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsmhlGximc
"Of course you would," he winked. "You don't like anything repetitive since it would hinder your brain cells from growing."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cQzaqQExW
Naomi groaned. "Can you guys take your lover's quarrel elsewhere? I don't want to hear about it."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC25ZzBjd79
Ferdinand and I blushed as we glanced at each other for a moment, before continuing our journey back home. I guess we do make a great couple after all, but I just need to wait a little longer.699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRadjzgEUyz
I poured a carton of whipping cream into the mixing bowl and I added a cup of palm sugar inside the mixing bowl. Holding a whisk, I continuously beat both the cream and sugar in a vigorous manner. Once it was done, I scooped the mixture with a spoon and spread it all over the cake. As I added some strawberries from the canning jar, I sprinkled some icing sugar with a strainer and wiped my forehead as I looked at my beloved masterpiece.699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bSNDtJ3hy
Then, a door burst opened, revealing a man who was holding a beer bottle in one hand. My eyes widened as I placed both hands over my mouth. "Father," I stuttered. "Is that you?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueScgMhvlX
I placed my cake inside the fridge and grabbed a cloth, wiping the table in a hasty manner, which was partially covered with flour and sugar. Slamming his bottle on the table, I felt a tremor in my hands. "Aren't you supposed to be on the battlefield, father?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW4JgPpfua
He spat on the table and glared at me. "Didn't you hear the news? We won the war. The Bows have surrendered."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOlYDCf5q8
I raised one of my eyebrows. "If the war's over, then why didn't I see any soldiers returning to Slaborough?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0SyPuzeIf
With his bare hands, he broke the glass bottle and let the glass shards flies all over me, making my throat dry. "You do not speak to your father like that, you little bitch."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdyG6Fkgf8
"Father," I cried, dropping on my knees. "Why are you acting like this? This isn't like you at all."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKcZrRD7U5
As he raised his hands, I heard my aunt's voice coming down from the stairs. "Bugsy, you're alright?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocAc4zVoOB
I wiped my tears and turned to my father, only to find myself in an empty kitchen. Wearing a silky bathrobe, Aunt Inara glanced at me, running her hands through her black, shoulder-length hair. "What's wrong?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkzMR5Yc1t
I cleared my throat. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you that I saw father standing right here?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjsMB9xz15
"What are you saying, Bugsy?" she let out a small laugh. "Your dad's fighting a war right now."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cmHl17sMn
I blinked back tears as I avoided eye contact with my aunt. "Right, of course, he's still out there. My mistake auntie."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuoGg9OUtS
Aunt Inara shook her head. "You should hit the sack, Bugsy. It's a long day for you tomorrow."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzHEzk0PFn
I felt tired that day. As I held my picnic basket, my eyelids grew heavier than my mind wandered to last night's event, which felt intense and confusing at the same time. Was that my father in the kitchen? He doesn't even act like himself.699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ226W5AFfIt
"You need help with that, Bugsy?" spoke Ferdinand. I blinked and looked at him, puzzled. 699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3N7peUGnS
"What help?" I wondered. 699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsf0Xyfmjqx
He chuckled. "Do you want me to carry your picnic basket?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU9KD5ExSs
I shook my head. "I'm good. Thanks for the offer, though."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVdFZzaMHx
"We'll be picnicking on top of the hills," he pointed out. "And since you have only eight toes, it'll be difficult for you to climb up."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8tRf5Il8J
Glancing at my picnic basket, I handed it to him and continued walking behind Naomi and Ferdinand. "I take it you didn't sleep well last night," observed Ferdinand. 699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy6xe4P1vi
"Yeah," I bobbed my head. "It sounds silly right now but if I told you that I saw my father."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuAXOJTs3i
Ferdinand let out a huge cough in disbelief. "Seriously?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo68zGtEtA7
"Of course I am, Ferdinand. Why on earth would I say that right now?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3mCXQ2FMI
Naomi rolled her eyes. "Someone here is super grouchy."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgseLdkGE1I
I held my tongue as we climbed the hilltop when I felt an acute pain in my left leg. I let out a small hiss from my lips as I spread my arms opened, hoping to gain some balance. In a moment, I felt the gravity on the ground pushing me backwards, making me lose my balance and fall.699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX61ckZOmIG
Within a few seconds, Ferdinand and Naomi managed to grab both of my arms and pull me to the top, landing on top of his chest, with my arms around his neck. Naomi let out a giggle, making our faces beet red.699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT4tIeEWsx
I got up and dusted off my yellow, gingham dress, looking away from him. "Just pretend none of this happened," I apologized and sat on the picnic mat that Naomi laid out. 699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57tzO3mdgc
"No need to apologize, Bugsy," he winked. "I don't really mind."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JbnEY6CZr
Naomi almost choked on her lemonade and widened her eyes. "Okay, what the heck did I just hear?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX42TU7Y5bv
I smiled and gave her a light punch on her shoulder as I took out my strawberry cream cake and paper plates and cutleries. I sliced the cake into 6 pieces and placed one on the plate, handing it to Naomi. She took a bite of the cake and closed her eyes as she moaned and placed her plate on the mat. "Do you like it?" I asked. 699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXb1ryp4e1
"It's wonderful," she gleamed. "Did you made this yourself?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVHCy8QM2y
"Of course," I lifted my head. "Baking's in my genes."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjz16sYSI1
She gave a nod as I felt her contagious smile all over me, making me want to put last night's fiasco behind my head. "So, what did you two talked about?" she said, swallowing her cake. Ferdinand and I glanced at each other and squeezed each other's hands. 699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeSAyYHQsb
"Nothing much," I stammered. "I just couldn't sleep last night."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8gYusDmAb
She put her plate down and looked at me. "Oh, did you have a bad dream?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKpcdl1hvF
"You would think it's crazy if I told you I saw my father last night."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlH5u581q5
"Shut up, what did he say?" she leaned closer to me. "Well, he was all drunk, and he cussed and shouted at me."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GChVaeyAS
"Doesn't sound like your old man," Ferdinand sighed. "Usually, he's cheery and laid-back, and he never touched a bottle of a dime in his life."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04DkONqOTE
"Exactly. It's like I'm talking to some random stranger instead."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD06MO1iWr
Naomi's eyes sunk and she cleared her throat. "Did you guys read today's paper?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWd77fk63OQ
"No, why?" he said, wiping his mouth with a serviette. She crossed her legs to adjust herself. 699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQjvhE9IZq
"There was a battle in Kilimanjaro Bay and Blanca has lost its entire battle group."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWz1MLcdZxs
I coughed as I placed my cup on the picnic mat. "I read about it too. We lost against the separatist states, which were the Bows."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdHzksoNPS
"When will this war end, anyway?" Ferdinand groaned. "Mom's kinda worried about dad."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EOghvMJVp
"I'm worried sick about dad too," I sulked. "But Aunt Inara kept on telling me that he'll be alright. How insensitive of her. Why can't she be more considerate?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnDL3hyHQe
Naomi placed her hand on my shoulder. "Bugsy, everyone has a different way of expressing their emotions. Your aunt is worried about your dad. She just says that to reassure you, that's all."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbe0aKFak97
"I agree, Bugsy. I know it seems that your aunt doesn't care about your dad but in reality, she's saying it to comfort you and herself."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0Lm4pgrt5
I bit my lips. "You have a point. I did notice my aunt was praying to the Lord and his Sons for my father's safety."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zbmVoShNV
Ferdinand poured lemonade in my glass and cupped his hands on my face. "On the bright side though, at least the war hasn't reached Slaborough. We still have food on our plates, a roof over our heads and books to read and write. Other states such as Oberk were bombed by our enemies."699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdnH6CGNgr
I chuckled and got up, stretching my arms and legs. "We should join the others," I said, watching our schoolmates gathered around our May Day pole, led by our school principal, Mrs Soka. Both my friends exchanged nods and went down the hills, standing behind the crowd. As each of us held a long strand of ribbon which was tied around the pole, Mrs Soka gave us a simple briefing, before switching on upbeat, joyous music.699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYloBAgo9G9
Holding a blue ribbon in one hand, I began to run around the field in a clockwise direction while the boys ran in the opposite direction, often bumping into the other girls. As the ribbons around the pole slowly weaved into a diagonal pattern, I began to hear numerous gunshots all over me, slowing me down. The jade-coloured grass was soaked in blood as the deafening sound of cannons and bombs filled my ears.699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbok6SgTPR
The skies turned gray as I felt the air choking me, making my head heavier. My breathing quickened and my palms felt clammy as I looked around the warlike scenery. Noticing dead soldiers on the ground, I tried to scream in the void, but no sound came out from my mouth. My legs were shaking as I covered my eyes and ears, chanting a soft prayer.699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN78LJL0Nfc
Then, I felt a tug around my waist, prompting me to open my eyes, only to find myself entangled with Ferdinand. "Hey Bugsy," he uttered, in a worried tone. "You alright?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShybcGsO7P
I looked around my surroundings and saw my schoolmates, who were goofing around with each other. "What just happened?" I asked. "Is the May dance over?"699Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRl6wKuCf4F
He nodded. "Of course, Bugsy. I'm sure you're aware of it."
I cupped his face and leaned my forehead against his, sighing. "Let's just get back to our picnic area."
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