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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpY5U4PR6E
"In my opinion," began Archie, holding a piece of paper. "I think Fidel Castro was a hero, Mrs Woods."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kWQMLne2k
"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?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbOwvR29iJ
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1UBbzvgu2
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgarWhp8utj
"Well, Castro did some good things in Cuba. I mean, education and healthcare was free, which was something the US did not have."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9v5qDTQEO
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"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXX5QfsI05
"Alright, you two," Mrs Woods chuckled. "I think we should give other people a chance in this discussion, yeah?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58JwnJlHAo
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBezf4nhqsb
"And what happened after that, Lisa?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9OheCdxRv
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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSxii80jyG
Mrs Woods smiled. "Thank you, Lisa," she said, as she turned her head to Farouk. "Can you tell me what happened to Fulgencio Batista?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3B4wTzW4NJ
He shrugged. "He was killed."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmLNOxmYNr
Amra held her laughter. "No, stupid, he fled the country. He only died later in life."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBNvbc7OWP
"I didn't know, Amra," his face turned red. "I'm not as smart as you, okay?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5DY2fhYsU
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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ1jsvoQJE
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?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VNZBCJtt8
"We're gonna have a school picnic," Ferdinand cheered, swinging his arms. 618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGP3TQUD33e
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSPM9DwY9V
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. 618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRtD0QaRw3
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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZvB28uGKV
"Well be prepared, Naomi, 'cause I'm going to bring lemonade and apple pie," said Ferdinand.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9Y2a2Qyre
"That's something new," I replied, in a sarcastic tone.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNp8qs73Jpc
"My apple pie was a hit in every occasion, Bugsy," he teased. "Besides, even you couldn't resist it, my love."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitkNWWNED1
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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiJTMppMvz
"Of course you would," he winked. "You don't like anything repetitive since it would hinder your brain cells from growing."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyphajE7Uz
Naomi groaned. "Can you guys take your lover's quarrel elsewhere? I don't want to hear about it."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GlfiKToaX
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMmKOLYdE1
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nX8wMO74p
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?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqgo1WlRag
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?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD1JCWNmCD
He spat on the table and glared at me. "Didn't you hear the news? We won the war. The Bows have surrendered."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CNblzLZad
I raised one of my eyebrows. "If the war's over, then why didn't I see any soldiers returning to Slaborough?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTXklz450G
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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoUS6sLvCf
"Father," I cried, dropping on my knees. "Why are you acting like this? This isn't like you at all."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwowayMw49o
As he raised his hands, I heard my aunt's voice coming down from the stairs. "Bugsy, you're alright?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bvDVhbiSk
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?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6RwzCJudf
I cleared my throat. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you that I saw father standing right here?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYyFLEF5ZP
"What are you saying, Bugsy?" she let out a small laugh. "Your dad's fighting a war right now."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQVhSq77mT
I blinked back tears as I avoided eye contact with my aunt. "Right, of course, he's still out there. My mistake auntie."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpLJv8zabW
Aunt Inara shook her head. "You should hit the sack, Bugsy. It's a long day for you tomorrow."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT1K4bJw5K
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvR6M0P5IfM
"You need help with that, Bugsy?" spoke Ferdinand. I blinked and looked at him, puzzled. 618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmQWqjtfvW
"What help?" I wondered. 618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1t3JoD33k
He chuckled. "Do you want me to carry your picnic basket?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLj8uvpqRJd
I shook my head. "I'm good. Thanks for the offer, though."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp3JSEMfZy
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VLRf3Pppn
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. 618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcvKNiDPO9
"Yeah," I bobbed my head. "It sounds silly right now but if I told you that I saw my father."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPh11QUrPG
Ferdinand let out a huge cough in disbelief. "Seriously?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hFYeSwmCW
"Of course I am, Ferdinand. Why on earth would I say that right now?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjRK4MKU4V
Naomi rolled her eyes. "Someone here is super grouchy."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQakUIav5v
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQExe0qHjUR
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewdIY7IFJj
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. 618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ99264EnG8
"No need to apologize, Bugsy," he winked. "I don't really mind."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zKflXfGuz
Naomi almost choked on her lemonade and widened her eyes. "Okay, what the heck did I just hear?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRzs4OLyoJ
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. 618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CWUdOSgeq
"It's wonderful," she gleamed. "Did you made this yourself?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VbxrKySLD
"Of course," I lifted my head. "Baking's in my genes."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FtBpJCXLj
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. 618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIJeTdjCdb
"Nothing much," I stammered. "I just couldn't sleep last night."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSnS5662zv
She put her plate down and looked at me. "Oh, did you have a bad dream?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdEjm3W4Bl
"You would think it's crazy if I told you I saw my father last night."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvjOP0Pkub
"Shut up, what did he say?" she leaned closer to me. "Well, he was all drunk, and he cussed and shouted at me."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GM610qmxs
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4xXXtX65H
"Exactly. It's like I'm talking to some random stranger instead."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwNcK4VPaV
Naomi's eyes sunk and she cleared her throat. "Did you guys read today's paper?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpa93rOrQ19
"No, why?" he said, wiping his mouth with a serviette. She crossed her legs to adjust herself. 618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlWqYj9aqj
"There was a battle in Kilimanjaro Bay and Blanca has lost its entire battle group."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFSwY6Bsml
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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nM4Wauc7b
"When will this war end, anyway?" Ferdinand groaned. "Mom's kinda worried about dad."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNYtIsYA4t
"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?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2ZIKza8za
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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd00p2oAh3q
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRRjXF3go2
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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15P5ofS9Ak
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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsFJrqteJx
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlxnPGlbsT
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbjrFgT5WR
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvqqYPvPzL
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?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdO4XSgJRc
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?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPyMlrPRFU
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."
ns 15.158.61.7da2
