Please note: (All characters in this story are fictional as well as the main locations used in the story, hence you may find some names of(Persons or States) used in this story totally strange or very Unfamiliar.
____ 17th July 1995
General Lati picked a meat from the grill on the fire, he had a bite and immediately dropped it :“This tastes Horrible!. Gideon you don’t know how to aim well now you can’t make a smoked meat perfectly!” he rolled his eyes as he dropped the remaining meat on the grill with disdain. The other officers on the field laughed so hard to Lati's choice of words. They were seated around the fire in a circle. Gideon, a junior officer of twenty -seven year old looked down timidly and bowed his head: “I am sorry Sir”
“Come on guys! It’s not funny. You can’t believe Gideon was only able to get one target correctly in the fire arms last week. Now he can’t smoke a meat!” Lati said furiously. Gideon could not follow them to the war front as he was still lagging behind in the required skills. When they came back, Lati implored him to be useful and make them smoked meat.
“But the meat is not that bad. It’s just short of some spices! Besides Gideon has only spent a month here, I am sure he will catch up soon” Camp, an army officer and also a friend to Lati said in Gideon’s defence, just recovering from his laughter
“Well..what happened to the military school he went to? He didn’t learn that? How come he is with a certificate? Was it Forged? I do not entirely blame him. He got so lucky because of his father’s position that he got a job immediately in the State army. With that kind of shooting skills, he should still be in the remote places and still as a junior officer!” Lati said emphatically
“ Let’s just give him more time. He will come around!” Camp, said as he fed on his meat. Lati stared on with contempt. He further changed the topic stressing that he wouldn’t allow Gideon ruin the happy atmosphere. The soldiers just finished fighting for the territorial protection of their State Liba, against their enemy state, Zerafi and it was a victorious match. After which they decided to Celebrate and merry with grilled meats,  and bottles of expensive Wines.
The population of the Liba army is larger than Zerafi's  They also have finer and stronger officers
Lati Hamzah was one of them. He was the deputy General of the entire military base in the State. A fine and Strict officer in his mid-fifties;
The Officers he presided over respected and adored him. All his other colleagues were happy but he was the happiest. They were finally done with the territorial war. He would set his eyes on his precious only daughter again after Six weeks of leaving home for work duties
*******
Lati’s daughter, Mitah was in her final year in the State's University. She was twenty-four years old and his only child. Lati had lost his wife many years ago to a plane crash and all the care and responsibilities of their daughter fell solely on him. One thing was certain about the love he has for his daughter- he could give his life for her.
Lati arrived home the next day, a well constructed bungalow, tastefully furnished. However, the person he saw with his daughter made him furious .He dropped his suitcase, his face fuming with anger. It was his daughter’s boyfriend, Dino. Dino is a trained and wealthy pharmacist, pursuing his Master’s degree in pharmacology. Lati wouldn’t just let the gentleman have a relationship with his daughter
“What are you doing here, you stupid boy? Haven’t I warned you to stop coming here?!” He yelled at him. Dino immediately released his hands from Mitah’s. Mitah who was initially excited to set her eyes on her father after months of leaving home was suddenly defeated in her expectation. She was frightened and fed up with her father’s unwelcoming attitude and hatred for her lover. 
" Good day and welcome Sir”. Dino greeted. He drew the tips of his shirt slightly beneath his chin and gave a bow
“Keep your greetings! Now listen, the next time I see you around my daughter, I am going to shoot you to death. It is what I can do!”. Lati said raging and pointing his finger at him.
Mitah wanted to talk but he shut her up and ordered Dino out of his house immediately.
"Get out now! and don't you ever show your face here again!"
Dino took a deep breath. He scoofed, picked up his car keys and stepped out without saying a word. Mitah followed him. “Come back here!”,Lati called.
Mitah ignored her father. She walked over to meet Dino outside, who had sat in his car ready to ignite the engine.  He had a slightly furious expression on his face. “I am sorry” ... Mitah said remorsefully talking to him through his car slides
"It's Okay, but how long this will persist Mitah? It's draining and embarrassing to be treated this way by your father all the time, especially when I have done nothing wrong to him”. Dino said his face expressing sadness and worry. 
Mitah assured him she is going to keep talking to her father.
"I am not ready to leave you Dino. Just give my father sometime. He will come around.  Besides he can't stop us. I promise". She added
Dino nodded and started booting up his car engine. He told her they would talk later on the telephone. Mitah opened his car door and entered the car attempting to kiss him on his lips
“No.. babe, not right now please. The last thing I want is your father's trouble. I should get going. I have some medications to approve to the teaching hospital”.Dino said. Obviously, he was still angry. She wouldn’t blame him, that would be the fifth time Lati would see them together and irrationally walk Dino out of his house or yell at him
“Its okay. Drive safe”Mitah muttered to him coming out of his car. Dino nodded and zoomed off.
Mitah walked back into the house. She met her father already sipping from a glass of whiskey, his favourite alcoholic beverage. He was seated ready to listen to the 4pm news broadcast
“Dad, why are you always doing this? Dino has done nothing wrong”.
“Really? "Lati said diverting his attention from the TV. “you are going on a perilous path if you don’t know. Do you know the history of their family?” .
But Mitah responded that she didn’t care about any history and she loves him regardless. 
“Are you dumb Mitah?! His father was an ex-soldier of Zerafi, our enemy state! His father murdered over fifty of the men under my command in cold blood. He is more or less my enemy." Lati stressed.
“Dad, you have no point. That was during the war. I mean you killed his men too. Many of them!" Mitah argued, finding the excuse incredible and unworthy. 
"What do you even see in that boy?... because he is wealthy? There are other successful men out there!" Lati muttered gesturing with his hands 
"I am not all about his wealth Dad and you know this" Mitah said with a serious demeanour. 
"Just stay away from him!  Their family have a bad history. His father was a viscious and horrible human" Lati said spitefully
"But you never tell what his father has done, why you hate him so much. What did he do?! There is something else behind this than him being your opposition in the army. Is there something you are not telling me?" Mitah asked curiously. 
Lati simply stood up. He wasn't interested in the news broadcast anymore. Not in his life time would his daughter get married to Dino. He'd rather die. 
Mitah just stood there wondering why he has chosen to resent Dino and his family irrationally. It definitely cannot be because of the army. How absurd for him to give such a reason!
Lati had led his men to several Victorious Wars and received outstanding awards.  He was the second highest paid army officer in the State.
He could be described as a wealthy Officer, Besides his 'fat' salary, he also owns a big poultry farm where he sells birds, chickens and ducks. The business is grooming well for him and he makes millions of money monthly
Dino’s father Paul Martins was as well a very wealthy and influential man. But later, he would voluntarily retire and opt for politics. He died many years after his retirement 
Dino has a younger sister, Amanda who was still pursuing her degree in Law. Both of them are the only children of Paul Martins. Their father left behind a couple of properties including some houses, Luxurious Cars and money worth $10 million.
His magnificent company was later sold out as Dino his next of Kin did not have an interest in managing it. Dino is a self built successful man regardless of his father's wealth. He had made a name for himself with two large pharmaceutical industries and four widely known pharmacies to his name within Liba and beyond
******************************
Mitah wanted to see Dino again after the recent outburst by her father. She needed to do that and assure him of her unending love and beseech him not to give up on them. 
She hoped he wouldn't get mad and continue to be understanding. There is really a limit to what a man could take and her father is to blame. She picked up her a car key,. She was clad in a jumper suit. Her long dark hair tied into a pony tail. 
She informed their maid, Lupam that should her fatherask of her whereabouts, she should report that she had gone to the Post office. She dared not let her father know she was going to see Dino. 
Thirty minutes after, She arrived at Dino's residence A beautiful mansion that exudes sophistication and luxury. 
The Security officer,  opened the entrance gate for her to drive in. She got out of her Car and met Dino's sister just stepping out. 
Immediately Amanda sighted her, her expression changed and her face did not look welcoming. Mitah's heart sank as she glanced at her
"Hi... Amanda" Mitah said to her trying to smile. 
"Hi. Mitah" Amanda responded, her tone dry. "I was just stepping out. I will see you later." She was about to leave her sight when Mitah pulled her back softly
"Amanda. What's wrong? I don't remember us quarrelling" 
Amanda exhaled loudly. "Look, Mitah we don't have to quarrel. But your father is quarrelling with us. He is hurting my brother! Why does he treat him like a criminal? Why! I can't bear to see my brother sad everytime because of you Mitah. I am tired. Dino is all I have got! " Amanda said her tone filled up with sad emotions. 
"Amanda. I love your brother. Please. All my father's reaction will soon come to an end. I promise. He is just being overprotective. I can't bear seeing you displeased with me. I have always depended on you to keep encouraging your brother. You shouldn't be the one getting angry with Me" Mitah said her tone filled with worry and remorse. 
"Mitah I understand... but sometimes love is not always enough....It's just... I... "She stopped not knowing how better to express her feelings
"Amanda, I understand. Just give us more time. Please" She pleaded desperately holding her hands. 
Amanda was silent for a while before she nodded her head in affirmation. 
"Thank you" Mitah said. "Is he in?"
"Yeah Sure. I will see you later then" Amanda said walking along.
Mitah took a deep breath. She silently prayed Dino would not get furious too. He must have expressed his frustration to his Sister already. 
Her heart raced faster as she slowly approached the door. She hoped Dino wouldn't be tired of it all already. She hoped her father's harsh reaction few days ago wouldn't be the last Straw for him.