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.677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l0kCWYVlF
"In my opinion," began Archie, holding a piece of paper. "I think Fidel Castro was a hero, Mrs Woods."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3WRQkKesV
"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?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8f7UW3Hl7
"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."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDm0LZC726
"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."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7C6kNACvD
"Well, Castro did some good things in Cuba. I mean, education and healthcare was free, which was something the US did not have."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpMtNOjGfo
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"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxnGVrAXf9
"Alright, you two," Mrs Woods chuckled. "I think we should give other people a chance in this discussion, yeah?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIShuFLbMj
"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."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWykHZeqpb4
"And what happened after that, Lisa?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9gHzh77m5
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."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBcbL1fwn3
Mrs Woods smiled. "Thank you, Lisa," she said, as she turned her head to Farouk. "Can you tell me what happened to Fulgencio Batista?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0qOQEcNJF
He shrugged. "He was killed."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtGKpg7jLm
Amra held her laughter. "No, stupid, he fled the country. He only died later in life."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohFVCie7gM
"I didn't know, Amra," his face turned red. "I'm not as smart as you, okay?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ1rhHs3Yz
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."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPo8FuL1zL
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?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOByhkTqZo
"We're gonna have a school picnic," Ferdinand cheered, swinging his arms. 677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSe3zCvgta
"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."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcvPNBj0dT
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. 677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbl5JpUu8L
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."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnnrraOTnn
"Well be prepared, Naomi, 'cause I'm going to bring lemonade and apple pie," said Ferdinand.677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t2obXMznS
"That's something new," I replied, in a sarcastic tone.677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWBg6eMccs
"My apple pie was a hit in every occasion, Bugsy," he teased. "Besides, even you couldn't resist it, my love."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkx7C3gAflk
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."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLuf7wdlNt
"Of course you would," he winked. "You don't like anything repetitive since it would hinder your brain cells from growing."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwySfnaSijP
Naomi groaned. "Can you guys take your lover's quarrel elsewhere? I don't want to hear about it."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBHK8cP3MG
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.677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFdjxk2KDc
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.677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNh7rIkW019
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?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJwJC4EJly
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?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRpjq6KUvt
He spat on the table and glared at me. "Didn't you hear the news? We won the war. The Bows have surrendered."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB7ksWpJZB
I raised one of my eyebrows. "If the war's over, then why didn't I see any soldiers returning to Slaborough?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnPu6mNsAF
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."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCrOGEjial
"Father," I cried, dropping on my knees. "Why are you acting like this? This isn't like you at all."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYYdfjDJMC
As he raised his hands, I heard my aunt's voice coming down from the stairs. "Bugsy, you're alright?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVzaSCfwQp
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?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdBOwsuXTS
I cleared my throat. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you that I saw father standing right here?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiTbovUOTa
"What are you saying, Bugsy?" she let out a small laugh. "Your dad's fighting a war right now."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK9NfmNI3R
I blinked back tears as I avoided eye contact with my aunt. "Right, of course, he's still out there. My mistake auntie."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ89xhE2TL
Aunt Inara shook her head. "You should hit the sack, Bugsy. It's a long day for you tomorrow."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBid10l1y0D
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.677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9e5wE4536
"You need help with that, Bugsy?" spoke Ferdinand. I blinked and looked at him, puzzled. 677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTok6rRVeCA
"What help?" I wondered. 677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxYhsaTfvS
He chuckled. "Do you want me to carry your picnic basket?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR7djZ7U2i
I shook my head. "I'm good. Thanks for the offer, though."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmntM19qS4
"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."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAmlEE7De7
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. 677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadFf7D3Srb
"Yeah," I bobbed my head. "It sounds silly right now but if I told you that I saw my father."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHBnaclEkP
Ferdinand let out a huge cough in disbelief. "Seriously?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmewZ2ZecJg
"Of course I am, Ferdinand. Why on earth would I say that right now?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsy5XUVlCr
Naomi rolled her eyes. "Someone here is super grouchy."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMEEFO2LKA
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.677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YRaIb6Qqw
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.677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKNvwNyyA3
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. 677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB15jYcdRTo
"No need to apologize, Bugsy," he winked. "I don't really mind."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pyqrLmjYy
Naomi almost choked on her lemonade and widened her eyes. "Okay, what the heck did I just hear?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHL1qNCczk
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. 677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOex7cvVvI
"It's wonderful," she gleamed. "Did you made this yourself?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZQS9xLSIV
"Of course," I lifted my head. "Baking's in my genes."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeErRWdLqo
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. 677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnNrGOM1kD
"Nothing much," I stammered. "I just couldn't sleep last night."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOYaL1YLKp
She put her plate down and looked at me. "Oh, did you have a bad dream?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSB4jxiZDv
"You would think it's crazy if I told you I saw my father last night."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97yTVW7vvA
"Shut up, what did he say?" she leaned closer to me. "Well, he was all drunk, and he cussed and shouted at me."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ3ZkWxPqF
"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."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZYz7m6eoU
"Exactly. It's like I'm talking to some random stranger instead."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o4y4H4L1I
Naomi's eyes sunk and she cleared her throat. "Did you guys read today's paper?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78LkfdNEox
"No, why?" he said, wiping his mouth with a serviette. She crossed her legs to adjust herself. 677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0puwYkFy8l
"There was a battle in Kilimanjaro Bay and Blanca has lost its entire battle group."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAcNY4AAkD
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."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU76Uq9TeQ
"When will this war end, anyway?" Ferdinand groaned. "Mom's kinda worried about dad."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI87yBCWyGL
"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?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEab8fRpBw
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."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6BhQvQ0Qg
"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."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMltAQyUBT
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."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMK6xne3tE
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."677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaandUkBpA
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.677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6NbJYm7xm
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.677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78LlsbxkQW
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.677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0WmjOKziR
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?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVUPxrCSG2
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?"677Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdN6G20JJe4
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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