“Your Excellency,” he greeted with a smile. The governor stood up and spread his arms for a hug. Fidel walked into the outspread arms, and he gave him a tight hug for some seconds, and it drew emotions from the audience. Everyone was either fighting hard to restrain himself or herself from crying or drying their wet eyes. Thereafter, the governor released him, and held his hand. Then, he spoke, “The society failed you, Fidel, but your tenacity and sheer will to survive sustained you.” Fidel, who was smiling and looking at him, nodded his head in agreement, and the governor continued, “I repent on behalf of the society, and I plead that you find a place in your heart to forgive and forget.”
“Thank you, your Excellency. I have forgiven long ago. I remain grateful to God, who showed me mercy and pardoned my shortcomings.”
Now, the audience, had forgotten that they were at a funeral and clapped for Fidel while he walked back to the podium. Then, Sarah, continued, Thank you very much your Excellency. I'm glad to have you, Fidel.”
“Thanks to you, Mrs. Owens, for inviting us.”
“You are welcome. Nne,” Sarah called out and faced her. “Do you have anything to tell the girls?” She inquired and handed the microphone to her. Now, Fidel collected the baby from her, and she collected the mic from Sarah.
“Thank you, Mrs. Owens. Your Excellency, … Permit me to stand on the existing protocol. I am delighted to inform you that I'm proud to be a girl. Girls, say after me.”
The girls in front of her repeated what she said in unison. She encouraged them and ended her speech with, “Nne loves you all.”
Thereafter, the crowd clapped happily for her. Now, George, Lilian, and their cousins, were standing by the corner with the packages meant for the hundred girls. Within a few minutes, that section was over.
Nevertheless, Felix was disorganized and could not help but inform his father of his predicament. Then, the IGP, who wanted to speak about the street urchins and Fidel's predicament, excused himself from the audience, and walked up to Felix and inquired, “Son, what is troubling you?”
Felix narrated his story, excluding the ugly part, and concluded with, “I wish I can go back?” Then, his father assured him, “I know how you feel. Get your sister to pay her a visit. That would keep her stable before we go back tomorrow.”
“Thank you, father, for your intervention,” Felix appreciated and the IGP walked back to the audience, and he gave his sister a call.
The event continued with eating and drinking. Now, the IGP, could not resist the urge to speak on the topic that had caused great threat to the society. Then, he called the MC's attention, and he announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen, it is an honor and privilege to inform you that the IGP would like to address us. Put your hands together for him,” the audience clapped, and he handed over the microphone to him. Then, he began, “Your Excellency, the executive governor of Anambra State, distinguished senators… I am delighted to be in your midst today. Permit me to address the issue of Street Urchins in our society.” He paused and looked around, and inquired, "Where is the Survival?” Evans happily stood up and beckoned to Fidel. He walked majestically with the gait of a military man and stood beside the IGP. He held his left hand and continued, “The street urchins were considered a menace to the society. As a security personnel, I had been advised to locate their hideouts and wipe them away. With the story of my son, today, I have learned that they are not as guilty as we judged them. Do you agree with me?”
“Yes. You are correct, Sir,” the audience chorused. Then he continued, “If I had wiped him away, Nne would not forgive the society,” he paused, and looked at Nne, who was smiling happily under the tent, and he continued.
“From the story before us, you can see that the parents at home are more guilty than the children on the street. How can you abandon your flesh and blood and expose your children to danger?”
At that point, Felix felt that his father was talking to him. He stepped out again and made calls, but the person at the other end did not pick. He walked back to the tent dejected. Then, the IGP turned to Fidel and offered, “Fidel, you are dear to my heart, and I would not have you to be far away from me. You are hereby enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force. I am certain that you would make us proud as a nation.”
Now, Fidel's head was down, and tears were flowing uncontrollably. Evans, who was beside him, placed his hand on his shoulder and pacified, “Stop, Fidel. You are an overcomer.”
At that point, Barbara had collected the children from Nne, and she walked to her husband. She placed her hand on his waist and consoled too, “Fidel, our future is great.” He took the control of his emotions at once, and dried his tears. Then he faced the IGP and appreciated, “For the first time in my life, I heard someone address me as a son.” He paused and looked at the governor and, continued, “Thank you, father, for recognizing me as a son.” Then, he faced the IGP and said the same thing, “Thank you, father, for believing in me. I will never let you down.” The segment ended with cheering and accolades, and the eating and drinking continued.
The villagers had enough to eat and drink. They were unable to exhaust the jerrycans of wine as Emma wished. Now, it was time to share the souvenirs. The driver opened the trailer truck of gifts, and the villagers concluded that they would destabilize the event and go home with more than one pack.
“Queue up and be orderly,” Barry announced. Meanwhile, Shane and his colleague were very far away from him because they thought that he would be brutal with them. It never occurred to them that, he could not recognize them, nor did he remember that such people existed.
“Take, Oliver. Mark their thumbs before they get the gifts,” Barry educated, and handed over a permanent marker to him.