No Love Lost

Chapter 9



 9 hey had no difficulty finding jobs. Tewuh who had gone to Ecole Anormale Supérieure on a private sponsorship from Saint Cassava High School went back to teach there. His wife had to be posted to a government high school because she was sponsored by the State. The only problem they encountered was having Natasha posted to a school in the Ndobo Area School District where her husband worked. Tewuh thought it would be wise to act sooner rather than later. They decided to make a trip to Edouany to chase her file. Not that they were doing anything out of the ordinary. In that country everyone chased files. If you wanted to be absorbed into the public service, you had to chase your file. If you had worked for two years without pay and wanted your salary to be paid, you chased your file. If you wanted the government to pay the arrears for those years you worked without pay you chased your file. If you went on retirement and had not received your pension for five years (which was often the case), you had to go to Edouany and chase your file. It was a nation of chasers. Whether you were chasing files, women or shadows, you were still a chaser. They arrived in the city at 6:00pm having traveled for eight hours on a bus that stopped in very town and city to pick up passengers going to different destinations. They slept with a friend and left the following morning for the Ministry of the Public Service. As soon as they stepped out of the taxi their eyes fell on Paul Ndenge, a classmate of theirs at E.A.S. “Bo! Massa, so na how?”197Ndenge said, giving Tewuh five. “Bro, no be na we dis? Wata go lef stone,”198 Tewuh said. “Ah Natasha! How no moumie?”199 Ndenge said, throwing his hands open for an embrace. Natasha responded with a cold handshake. “Massa, what brings you to Yaoundé?”Tewuh asked “Chasing files, massa. Do you know that since we graduated six months ago everyone is still waiting for postings?” Ndenge said. “Are you serious?” Tewuh asked, very surprised. “Yes, what do I gain from telling a lie?” Ndenge said. “Have you been posted? “Ndenge asked. T 

 “My case is different,” Tewuh said. “Massa, I forgot that you’re the son of a big shot,” Ndenge said. “Please, please. Who dash dog coat?200 I am the son of poor farmers,” Tewuh said. “So what you do mean when you say your case is different?” Ndenge asked. “I was on private sponsorship at E.A.S. So I have gone back to my job,” Tewuh explained. “So you’re on study leave at E.A.S? Na youa own fainoh ?”201 Ndenge said, looking at Tewuh with eyes full of envy. “I arrived from Nkongsamba yesterday where I have been doing mbambe wok202 and was shocked when the receptionist told me that the minister is still looking into the files of people who graduated from E.A.S. twelve months ago,” Ndenge said. “You must be joking!” Tewuh said clapping his hands. “So, how do they expect people to survive?” Natasha asked. “You think they really care about your survival?” Ndenge asked. “What’s the fate of recent graduates?” Tewuh asked. “Your guess is as good as mine. They’ll have to wait until their turn comes,” Ndenge said. He recounted how the Ministry of the Public Service had been converted into a rachet, explaining that some E.A.S. graduates who had been privately sponsored had worked their way onto government payroll by giving bribes. Others had refused to take up their duties in remote parts of the country. They had simply stayed in the city and continued to earn their salaries for no work done. He said he knew of E.A.S graduates who were earning salaries from the government while teaching in private schools. “Bro, dis kontri na wa-oh!”203 Tewuh said, yawning. “It’s a shame, my friend. How can people govern their own country as if they’re strangers helping themselves to manna from heaven?” Ndenge asked. “It’s unbelievable! It’s feels like we’re living in a nation taken hostage,” Natasha said. “Massa, it was nice talking to you guys. I must be going,” Ndenge said. “Thanks man, we’re going into the building to see what they have in store for us,” Tewuh said...