Standing there in the men's restroom, Kamalu stared in disgust at the brown mushy lump on the floor. He looked at the empty toilet bowl which was still clean and wondered why someone would choose to do it on the floor instead. He remembered how he and his siblings would do it in the bush just behind their compound. Their village had no water closet, no toilet papers, just the bush and leaves to clean up.
Kamalu was about to skip the room, to come back with more energy, when Ogu came barging in.
"Kamalu I've been looking for you" he said and paused as he too saw the night soil.
"This is why I don't like working on monday mornings" he said, covering his nose with his left palm.
"Come downstairs when you're done" he said and left in a hurry.
Kamalu who had been alternating from Ogu's face and the night soil decided to scoop the hole thing into the toilet bowl as he squeezed his face in disgust.
That evening as he got home, he thought of how the person entered the toilet, saw the toilet bowl, and opted for the floor. He became even more angry at the people using the men's rest room, at the uncaring nature, and the filth they all leave behind. He stood up to drop the empty bottles of beer he had been drinking when he saw the form Ogu had gaven him in the afternoon, after the sordid situation. It was for a job as a mountain guide. Ogu had explained how he too wanted to get the job as he was good at climbing and could make money guiding other people.
The next morning Kamalu went early to the firm where he had to submit the form. He had to be quick about it and get to work early also. There he met Ogu who also came to turn in the applicant form.
"Good morning Ogu" Kamalu said, standing behind him. As they waited their turns to see the HR. Ogu turned around.
"Good morning" Ogu said, surprised to see him.
"I thought you were not interested yesterday by the way you sluggishly took the paper" Ogu added.
"I am tired of working at the bar" Kamalu said,
"Atleast this will make me happy while doing it" he added. The two men submitted their forms and headed to work together, with Kamalu still complaining about the customers and the toilet floor.
Weekend came by fast and Kamalu got a text to come for an interview and a test. This time he didn't see Ogu among the few people present. It was only after their the instructor of the test came by announcing that their batch of candidates did well, that Kamalu understood why Ogu wasn't there.
After the test the group were presented to the boss who congratulated them and told them to always be patient with hikers while guiding them through the terrain. He then told them to resume the next Monday as they were short on staff.
"I got it Kamalu" Ogu said as he entered the sitting room leaving Kamalu at the narrow balcony of his apartment. He picked up the success letter on the table and smiled.
"I knew you would" Kamalu said as he entered the sitting room. Ogu had already brought out two bottles of beer for them.
"You didn't tell your boss you were quitting" Ogu said,
"Now who would be man enough to scoop turds from the floor" Ogu teased Kamalu as they both laughed.