At that moment, Mama Tade walked out of the house angrily. She had heard voices in the compound.
“Where is that useless girl?” she shouted as she stepped outside.
But when she saw Lara’s parents standing there, she suddenly stopped. Her face changed quickly.
“Ah, good afternoon, sir. Good afternoon, ma,” she said quickly, forcing a fake smile. “When did you arrive?”
But Lara’s parents did not answer her greeting. Their faces were filled with anger.
Lara’s mother wiped her tears and stepped forward.
“Why is my daughter looking like this?” she asked sharply. “She is pregnant and suffering like this. My daughter has always had everything she wanted in life. Just look at her body.”
Her voice was trembling with anger.
“When your son came to marry her, was this how she looked?”
Mama Tade became nervous.
“She is not suffering,” she said weakly. “You can ask her yourself.”
But Lara’s father was already too angry to listen.
Without saying another word, Lara’s father grabbed his daughter’s hand gently but firmly.
“Come,” he said.
He led her straight toward the car. Lara’s mother quickly followed them.
Within seconds, Lara was sitting inside the car. Her mother sat beside her, holding her tightly. Lara’s father started the engine immediately.
When Mama Tade realized what was happening, panic filled her face.
She ran forward quickly.
“Where are you taking her?” she shouted loudly.
Lara’s father looked at her through the window with cold eyes.
“Home,” he answered simply.
Mama Tade shook her head wildly.
“No, she must give birth here,” she cried. “It is our tradition. The first child must be born in the father’s house. It is a must.”
She started running after the moving car.
But Lara’s father was already furious.
“May God in heaven punish you and your wicked tradition,” he spat angrily.
Then he pressed the accelerator, and the car sped out of the compound, leaving dust behind.
Mama Tade ran after the car for a short distance, screaming loudly, “Stop! Stop! Bring her back!”
But the car did not stop.
It disappeared down the road.
Mama Tade stood there shouting for help. She called on the neighbors around her house, but no one came.
Many of them had seen how she treated Lara. Many of them remembered the times she had insulted them. Because of that, nobody answered her cries.
Soon the compound became quiet again.
Mama Tade stood alone in the dust, breathing heavily and watching the road where the car had disappeared.
Inside the car, Lara leaned her head on her mother’s shoulder and cried softly. Her father kept driving, his face full of anger and sadness.
For the first time in many months, Lara felt safe again.
And somewhere far behind them in the village, the silent spirit of Tade watched the car disappear with relief in his eyes.
At last, his wife and his unborn child were leaving the place of suffering.
A parent’s love can never truly rest when their child is suffering. No matter how far a child goes in life, the prayers and concern of their parents can still find them.
Kindness and care should always guide how we treat others, especially those who are weak and vulnerable. When people choose cruelty, they may stand alone in the end, but love will always find a way to rescue those who are suffering.
