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.698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFuK7KuOMk
"In my opinion," began Archie, holding a piece of paper. "I think Fidel Castro was a hero, Mrs Woods."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MCJ6iofeO
"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?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBWXadiz2F
"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."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRCFA03a7M
"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."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBfgzyXxUu
"Well, Castro did some good things in Cuba. I mean, education and healthcare was free, which was something the US did not have."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMzryeTQvk
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"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5njPjmEsmN
"Alright, you two," Mrs Woods chuckled. "I think we should give other people a chance in this discussion, yeah?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEX2mfciIG6
"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."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPtdIs5e1a
"And what happened after that, Lisa?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoUJHSqrlC
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."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDPZasl8ss
Mrs Woods smiled. "Thank you, Lisa," she said, as she turned her head to Farouk. "Can you tell me what happened to Fulgencio Batista?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKuUxNfs12
He shrugged. "He was killed."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw9qLI1y0e
Amra held her laughter. "No, stupid, he fled the country. He only died later in life."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rvFhBQbOc
"I didn't know, Amra," his face turned red. "I'm not as smart as you, okay?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oef4VqiBZ
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."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7qBEgsuTF
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?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG45SsEnCVg
"We're gonna have a school picnic," Ferdinand cheered, swinging his arms. 698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi2p3fDMvm
"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."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUuJ4Ag1Jw
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. 698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYNxFiOCQI
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."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZTLs1JfrS
"Well be prepared, Naomi, 'cause I'm going to bring lemonade and apple pie," said Ferdinand.698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GUmYUR2lX
"That's something new," I replied, in a sarcastic tone.698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaJmxKuQSc
"My apple pie was a hit in every occasion, Bugsy," he teased. "Besides, even you couldn't resist it, my love."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruvPOuEoej
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."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gH6Kkayky
"Of course you would," he winked. "You don't like anything repetitive since it would hinder your brain cells from growing."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvZN3kRqEq
Naomi groaned. "Can you guys take your lover's quarrel elsewhere? I don't want to hear about it."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSBRpFppJ8
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.698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp67jQ03rWi
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.698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNW5kWRFP9
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?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5z0GSCyGIb
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?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9XpINt9QT
He spat on the table and glared at me. "Didn't you hear the news? We won the war. The Bows have surrendered."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4NLSkWf4O
I raised one of my eyebrows. "If the war's over, then why didn't I see any soldiers returning to Slaborough?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0MwKzUN3d
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."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegS2ZVl0Su
"Father," I cried, dropping on my knees. "Why are you acting like this? This isn't like you at all."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgdGbJNzsM
As he raised his hands, I heard my aunt's voice coming down from the stairs. "Bugsy, you're alright?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkz4wjl2Jl
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?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaEbiUB5lO
I cleared my throat. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you that I saw father standing right here?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTEsNhazkD
"What are you saying, Bugsy?" she let out a small laugh. "Your dad's fighting a war right now."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kIQw3C9qn
I blinked back tears as I avoided eye contact with my aunt. "Right, of course, he's still out there. My mistake auntie."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzCwXS5muZ
Aunt Inara shook her head. "You should hit the sack, Bugsy. It's a long day for you tomorrow."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOrpsByYD2
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.698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwK6NqZ2rl
"You need help with that, Bugsy?" spoke Ferdinand. I blinked and looked at him, puzzled. 698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vw9dOqK4W
"What help?" I wondered. 698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRshvYnVtA
He chuckled. "Do you want me to carry your picnic basket?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKHsiPm9Ka
I shook my head. "I'm good. Thanks for the offer, though."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9quHkidvI
"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."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTJEO9BNmm
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. 698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWTeHdf50F
"Yeah," I bobbed my head. "It sounds silly right now but if I told you that I saw my father."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ecYNhPqz3
Ferdinand let out a huge cough in disbelief. "Seriously?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAwrwQX4Xt
"Of course I am, Ferdinand. Why on earth would I say that right now?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaumds5v0W
Naomi rolled her eyes. "Someone here is super grouchy."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4jiGURoqC
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.698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UR3URpQC0
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.698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4G8iE826A
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. 698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF9soy1kVu
"No need to apologize, Bugsy," he winked. "I don't really mind."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2kfYgAHYk
Naomi almost choked on her lemonade and widened her eyes. "Okay, what the heck did I just hear?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VGhW2UciN
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. 698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgUjlnrp3B
"It's wonderful," she gleamed. "Did you made this yourself?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezecSVRRM3
"Of course," I lifted my head. "Baking's in my genes."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuajs9ExrYx
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. 698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc9FGHahsS
"Nothing much," I stammered. "I just couldn't sleep last night."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX17z9LU4RS
She put her plate down and looked at me. "Oh, did you have a bad dream?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWyjq9i9Du
"You would think it's crazy if I told you I saw my father last night."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhzXXtzTlw
"Shut up, what did he say?" she leaned closer to me. "Well, he was all drunk, and he cussed and shouted at me."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRT5BCRfoK
"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."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XLZzLuW04
"Exactly. It's like I'm talking to some random stranger instead."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6R4CMr0t5
Naomi's eyes sunk and she cleared her throat. "Did you guys read today's paper?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dyeEmS1f8
"No, why?" he said, wiping his mouth with a serviette. She crossed her legs to adjust herself. 698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fwofN7YvQ
"There was a battle in Kilimanjaro Bay and Blanca has lost its entire battle group."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO4SP9wb3P
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."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGeAUf1PgX
"When will this war end, anyway?" Ferdinand groaned. "Mom's kinda worried about dad."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkB8cR2F5D
"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?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6OqcF8pEk
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."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjayjSR1WAi
"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."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8kHSrSmCm
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."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW1PnSLZGC
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."698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokd8iEKNNS
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.698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVWXMbVVuD
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.698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEKYBxmM6g
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.698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmXiQ3ZFLu
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?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dF4gnXua6
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?"698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE9B7NT3Nz
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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