Madam Amara could not sleep all through the night. She kept turning on the bed and thinking about her daughter Awele. She stood up, walked up and down the room, and later went to her husband. She wants to talk to him about Awele.

“Chief, it is not good to abandon our daughter like this. She was in labour and you said we shouldn’t help. But just gave birth and we have not gone to see her. Let us go to the hospital tomorrow morning,” she said in a calm voice. Chief Hyacinth looked at her with strong face but did not say anything.

“Chief, please, let us not turn our backs on her now.” She said.

Chief Hyacinth finally spoke. His voice was deep and filled with anger.

“Amara, that girl disgraced me. I warned her, but she refused to listen. She decided to marry a poor man. Now see how poverty is dealing with her. I am not happy with her at all.” Chief Hyacinth said.

Madam Amara went on her knees to beg.

“Chief, forgive her. Awele is still our daughter. Kelechi is not a bad boy. The only problem he has is lack of money. He has a good heart. Please, Chief, let us not forsake them.”

Chief Hyacinth sighed deeply. He stood up from the bed and started walking around the room. “Alright, Amara, since you have begged me, I will forgive her. I only wanted her to taste poverty. She said she wanted to marry for love, so I allowed her. Now she has seen how bitter poverty can be. I know she has learnt her lesson. Tomorrow morning, we shall go to the hospital.” Chief Hyacinth said. Madam Amara quickly hugged her husband.

“Thank you, Chief. May God bless you. Awele will be very happy to see us,” she said with joy on her face.

The next morning, Chief Hyacinth and Madam Amara dressed up and went straight to the hospital. When they entered, Kelechi and Awele were surprised. Awele sat up from the bed immediately. She shouted, “Papa! Mama!” Tears dropped from her eyes. She did not expect them to come. Kelechi also greeted them with respect.

“Good morning sir, good morning ma,” he said with an emotional voice. Chief Hyacinth looked at his daughter and shook his head.

“Awele, now you have tasted poverty. Now you know how bitter it is. I am here to rescue you from this suffering.” Chief Hyacinth said.

Awele quickly bent her head.

“Papa, forgive me. I know I disobeyed you by marrying Kelechi. But it was not my fault. I just love him. I love him with all my heart. Please don’t be angry again.” Awele said. She was crying while she spoke. Madam Amara rushed and wiped her tears.

“My daughter, your father has forgiven you. Stop crying. He came because he still loves you,” she said. Chief Hyacinth cleared his throat.

“Love without money is foolishness. Love is not enough. But since you have suffered, I will forgive you. From today, everything will change.” Chief Hyacinth said.

Kelechi moved closer and knelt before Chief Hyacinth. “Sir, I know I am poor. I know I have suffered your daughter. But it is not because I am lazy. Life has been very hard for me. I struggled to pay this hospital bill, but the hospital refused to help my wife. It was this nurse, Nurse Ginika, who helped my wife to deliver safely. But the doctor has seized our N700,000. He said no refund of money after payment. But they didn’t render any service to us.” Chief Hyacinth turned sharply and asked, “Which doctor? Bring him here. Let me hear from his own mouth now.”

When the doctor came, Chief Hyacinth’s face changed. He looked straight into the doctor’s eyes and spoke with anger.

“So you refused to help my daughter? You collected money from my in-law and you did nothing? If you don’t return that money right now, I will call the police and shut down this hospital. I am Chief Hyacinth, do you know who I am?” He said. The doctor started shaking.

“Oga please, don’t be angry. I will bring the money,” he said with fear. He quickly went to his office, brought the N700,000, and gave it to Kelechi.

Chief Hyacinth took the money and turned to Nurse Ginika.

“Young lady, you are the one who helped my daughter, right?” Nurse Ginika nodded.

“Yes sir. I could not fold my hands and watch her die. I even resigned my job because of it.” She said.

Chief Hyacinth smiled and said, “You are a good woman. This money belongs to you. You are the one who did the job, not the hospital. Take it and God will bless you. From today, I am your father too.” Nurse Ginika bent down and thanked him.

“Sir, may God bless you and your family. I only did what my conscience told me.” She said.

Chief Hyacinth turned back to Kelechi and Awele. His face was now soft. “From today, poverty will no longer disturb you people. Take this N20 million naira. Use it well. Start business. Build house. Take care of your children. I don’t want to see my daughter suffer again. If you use this money well, you and your family will never beg again in this life.” He handed a cheque to Kelechi. Awele and Kelechi could not believe their eyes. They both knelt down together. “Papa, thank you. We will never forget this kindness,” Awele said in tears.

Madam Amara came closer and hugged her daughter. “My daughter, this is what I have been praying for. Now, everything will be alright. You and your husband should go home and live in peace.”

Chief Hyacinth smiled for the first time. “Yes, go and start your life afresh. I will always stand by you now.”

Kelechi held his wife’s hand tightly and looked at her face. “Our suffering is over. We will use this money wisely. God has finally answered us.” Together, they carried their babies, left the hospital, and returned home. They lived happily ever after.