The meeting in the boardroom was about the impending retrenchment. Mr. Mukazi was not going to be any unclear in his words this time round – the repercussions notwithstanding. When he called me by my surname (as Mr. Akelanze) and not Georgy as he (and most of my colleagues referred to me), I knew things were thick.

“Mr. Akelanze, you will not be redeployed to CCK as you have anticipated. I am sorry to say that the staff rationalization program has determined that we will no longer need your services as a company. I wish to take this opportunity to thank you for your selfless service as a very trusted technician. We wish you good luck and success in your life” said Mr. Mukazi.

The HR Manager chimed in with even more damning info – as if she was doing me a favour. “The HR department will process your terminal dues, less any outstanding loans and advances. Your check should be ready in a month. If you have any questions, please my door is open. Feel free to speak to me or your supervisor.

Have you ever felt like peeing on yourself in broad daylight and before adults? That was the feeling I had that day. My world had collapsed. My world had come to an end. My career had been expurgated in the bud.

These guys were wrong. How could they dismiss me just like that? They were wrong and I left that room convinced that this was a mistake that was going to be corrected before 48hrs elapsed.

Unbeknown to them, I had just taken in Sophia. Sophia is this beautiful lady I had met at the bus stage a couple of times in the morning on my way to work. She had this characteristic figure 34-10-36 that always left me with goose bumps every time we met. Sophia had a dark complexion, with a gap in her teeth that made her smile Givenchy irresistible. Let me tell you about Sophia.

On this one particular evening from work, I bumped into Sophia at the bus stop waiting for a “matatu” home. This was the first time we were meeting in the evening. Strategy was to ensure that we get on the same “matatu”. And as chance would have it, we got on the same “matatu” only I was seated a few rows from where she was seated. Strategy 2 was to offer and pay her fare. Upon alighting, she was very generous with her smile as she pronounced the words I had been taught in Sunday school – thank you. Every gentleman at such a chance blow up his ego beyond measure. Instead of saying welcome, I found myself saying, anytime with pleasure. Strategy 3 was to invite her for dinner at my place – which she declined! That hurt me. But I was not going to relent. With a few more tries, she was a resident. You can ask me later the details.

How was I going to face Sophia, who by now was 7 months expectant with the news that I had been retrenched?

To make matters worse, the furniture we were using had been bought on hire purchase from Argos. I was also servicing a SACCO loan that was hardly 30% paid up to put up a decent house back home.

Unbeknown to Sophia, I was married to another lady Jecinta who was a teacher in the local primary school back home. Jecinta and I had 3 children – two in high school and 1 was doing her KCPE exams that year. This was the best kept secret to Sophia. Every attempt to visit our rural home was met with excuses ranging from the heavy workload at the office to the incomplete construction project.

My friends suddenly became my foes. As fate would have it, none of my very closest workmates was affected by the retrenchment. Was it an issue of my surname betraying me?

Wandagi, the quiet and laid back accounts clerk, was gentle enough to accompany me out of work that day. For the first time, I found myself in a bar. I needed to drench my worries. This was too much to bear. I did not know much about alcohol, but found myself ordering a cold Kenbrew! Whatever the feeling, I was ready. After all, what was the worst that could happen?

…… to be continued ……