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Madam Annette and the school head, Okonkwo were in Mombasa last week. Through WhatsApp, she kept us updated. On Tuesday she wrote; “what a breakfast, mbaazi za nazi (pigeon peas in coconut milk) and vitumbua (coconut rice pancakes)!” Then on Wednesday, “kuku biriani for lunch!” On Thursday she uploaded a photo while on the dance floor.
A text she sent Donatta in strict confidence however got us concerned. “Major changes coming soon,” she wrote. Donatta, unable to keep such juicy information to herself, shared it with Schola, our school’s rumour mill caretaker. Schola not only shared the text but also spiced it up, “Ni Kubaya, Depa ajipange” (things are bad, the deputy should take care).
The deputy, Wangu Wa Makeri and Annette never see eye to eye. Okonkwo has spared no effort in his attempts to have her transferred and have Annette take over the office. He has assigned her duties which are supposed to be performed by Wa Makeri.
She sits on every critical committee and chairs the lucrative tender committee. Everyone knows that Okonkwo is the school’s supplier via proxies. Consequently, Depa has been left with enough time to read all the daily newspapers and attempt the cross words puzzles.
Annette is frequent in Okonkwo’s office where she feeds him with ‘muchene’. She leaves the office wearing a broad smile while walking with a bounce that makes nonsense of her fifty plus years. The thud made by her shoes can be heard from Jezebel’s kitchen. Schola says that she walks as if she owns the school.
During the last interviews, Annette was not promoted to Job group M in spite of Okonkwo’s strong recommendations. Wa Makeri was promoted to job group N. Okonkwo is said to have reassured Annette that he would see the right people about her promotion.
Schola swears she saw Annette receive a wad of one thousand shillings notes just a week to half term. Her nose for scandals alert, she was informed that the money was for materials for home science students’ projects.
Annette’s enquiries on where she could get quality beach wear and swimming costumes, however, let the cat out of the bag. Donatta’s offer to get her ‘Camera’ outfits at a pocket friendly price was sneered at.
“Money is not the issue here. Besides, I could end up with strange skin diseases,” she retorted. “You just don’t know what you are missing. You could end up in the same swimming costume that Beyonce or even the late Princess Diana wore,” bargained Donatta.
Last Friday, a ‘muchene’ session was convened at JJ’s watering hole to discuss the latest developments at Meta Meta. Schola informed us that Okonkwo had taken a flight while Annette went by the SGR train to Mombasa.
“They are even booked in the same hotel,” she added. “Kwisha sisi,” mourned Donatta. “Too much ado about nothing,” observed Vasco Da Gama, the history teacher. “Give the old man a break and let him enjoy himself, ata paka mzee hunywa maziwa,” he said as he tried to pry out some stubborn piece of meat from the jaw bone of a goat’s engine. “Ati Maziwa? Huyo ni mratina” quiped Schola.
Just then, a WhatsApp message popped in. It was a photo of Annette in a bikini on the beach. “Now look at those legs, they should never be paraded in broad day light. “Are they legs or matchsticks?” she wondered. Schola’s legs are as thin as Annette’s. She cleverly conceals them in trousers or long skirts. We are waiting for the changes!
