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.675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgmNG7dGVm
"In my opinion," began Archie, holding a piece of paper. "I think Fidel Castro was a hero, Mrs Woods."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7qlQvUDjK
"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?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUiisWQX7N
"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."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOLyGz58cK
"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."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ358y2rglQ8
"Well, Castro did some good things in Cuba. I mean, education and healthcare was free, which was something the US did not have."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRjYo21lSf
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"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLutB9deCA
"Alright, you two," Mrs Woods chuckled. "I think we should give other people a chance in this discussion, yeah?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbxRnjM8uh
"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."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubuhGyGpuv
"And what happened after that, Lisa?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyobmijAo1
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."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWk1daB3ZdM
Mrs Woods smiled. "Thank you, Lisa," she said, as she turned her head to Farouk. "Can you tell me what happened to Fulgencio Batista?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjgQJkVRbJ
He shrugged. "He was killed."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YYbsVvFiT
Amra held her laughter. "No, stupid, he fled the country. He only died later in life."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35aIoewAP5
"I didn't know, Amra," his face turned red. "I'm not as smart as you, okay?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaQXHXlX0M
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."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJoelXXg34
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?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYpBP2FC75
"We're gonna have a school picnic," Ferdinand cheered, swinging his arms. 675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoImY7M3so
"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."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53djS028r2
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. 675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XMyn2fwwb
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."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVkI3O56Gc
"Well be prepared, Naomi, 'cause I'm going to bring lemonade and apple pie," said Ferdinand.675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYuQZZv9cU
"That's something new," I replied, in a sarcastic tone.675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBxtOLLQ7w
"My apple pie was a hit in every occasion, Bugsy," he teased. "Besides, even you couldn't resist it, my love."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwqpzWxt2Y
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."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGF0imqTe9
"Of course you would," he winked. "You don't like anything repetitive since it would hinder your brain cells from growing."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKWdg5319E
Naomi groaned. "Can you guys take your lover's quarrel elsewhere? I don't want to hear about it."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFrOjQjxp4
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.675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc48pKP8T1
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.675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLnfVJiocJ
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?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnGMWCqsjE
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?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgK6muBQbN
He spat on the table and glared at me. "Didn't you hear the news? We won the war. The Bows have surrendered."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoVjeKrfEQ
I raised one of my eyebrows. "If the war's over, then why didn't I see any soldiers returning to Slaborough?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyyL2G68P1
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."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrnafSUzzy
"Father," I cried, dropping on my knees. "Why are you acting like this? This isn't like you at all."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQD7s9MYp9
As he raised his hands, I heard my aunt's voice coming down from the stairs. "Bugsy, you're alright?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WqBujwu3l
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?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7AJroognH
I cleared my throat. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you that I saw father standing right here?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcyL5bBJ5F
"What are you saying, Bugsy?" she let out a small laugh. "Your dad's fighting a war right now."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvPDYiql78
I blinked back tears as I avoided eye contact with my aunt. "Right, of course, he's still out there. My mistake auntie."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODh1AzEREa
Aunt Inara shook her head. "You should hit the sack, Bugsy. It's a long day for you tomorrow."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUob393xT3B
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.675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4CrOUB04T
"You need help with that, Bugsy?" spoke Ferdinand. I blinked and looked at him, puzzled. 675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsc2mueKFB
"What help?" I wondered. 675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPGPXlDZzX
He chuckled. "Do you want me to carry your picnic basket?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAox6EsPop
I shook my head. "I'm good. Thanks for the offer, though."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI9bSwSY1d
"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."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvFHW9Cpeh
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. 675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3GXLJJcpU
"Yeah," I bobbed my head. "It sounds silly right now but if I told you that I saw my father."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0j1f3C6SK
Ferdinand let out a huge cough in disbelief. "Seriously?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mSpQCKaAm
"Of course I am, Ferdinand. Why on earth would I say that right now?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenzuStSrS3
Naomi rolled her eyes. "Someone here is super grouchy."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DVBvtJPxr
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.675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVPxooRNUi
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.675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BRdf799PI
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. 675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ999PyqH5QU
"No need to apologize, Bugsy," he winked. "I don't really mind."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ANAXIW30U
Naomi almost choked on her lemonade and widened her eyes. "Okay, what the heck did I just hear?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6rygzQU5I
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. 675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdWz5TmlCL
"It's wonderful," she gleamed. "Did you made this yourself?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aF4orkJNY
"Of course," I lifted my head. "Baking's in my genes."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c8oMxmdyH
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. 675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwCRh3LaRB
"Nothing much," I stammered. "I just couldn't sleep last night."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctEiL6kT0r
She put her plate down and looked at me. "Oh, did you have a bad dream?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MCUE3K8MG
"You would think it's crazy if I told you I saw my father last night."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm8SCBhwpO
"Shut up, what did he say?" she leaned closer to me. "Well, he was all drunk, and he cussed and shouted at me."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFCWL1dsfd
"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."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE3BXJy4FK
"Exactly. It's like I'm talking to some random stranger instead."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BUzIJU5x3
Naomi's eyes sunk and she cleared her throat. "Did you guys read today's paper?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko4R4EWwoH
"No, why?" he said, wiping his mouth with a serviette. She crossed her legs to adjust herself. 675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IJUbzpA7l
"There was a battle in Kilimanjaro Bay and Blanca has lost its entire battle group."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XimJT1ESU
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."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmF4gkTvI9
"When will this war end, anyway?" Ferdinand groaned. "Mom's kinda worried about dad."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOjn8njsBU
"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?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvS8rZVHG8
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."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcbXCuDj9S
"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."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88MtG3H0V1
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."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DdUyUgYFq
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."675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3s8uKhxA9
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.675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwJZTTZdyp
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.675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSYQTTpSBb
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.675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB95BE2mux9
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?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT5NOzVAwT
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?"675Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQjnCKJrqX
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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