✓ | The Esoteric Mismatched [D-Archives]

Chapter 16: Not Now

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THERE is a reason why people do things beyond their known character. People addressed this matter as one of the normal occurrences since change had been the new norm.

However, doing things to degrade someone, or to humiliate a person just because of envy is one of the annoying reasons I literally do not tolerate. Marami ang mga taong nanghuhusga lamang dahil trip nila, at kahit alam nila sa kanilang mga sarili kung alin ang tama sa mali, hindi na-iiba ang pakikitungo nila sa kapwa.

Pride. The first sin among the seven. We all possess the seven deadly sins since we are humans, and it is a basic human instinct, but pride is dominant among us.

Bakit nga ba nagagawa natin na maging makasarili para mapakain ang ating kayabangan? We hurt others to satisfy our own ego. We humiliate the weak because we are overwhelmed by our own power.

The city of Berlin is not an exception where tranquility is present, at some point, arguments are always the main dish.

It has been twenty minutes since Klaus and I barged in uninvited. Hinihintay namin na pumasok sa loob ang mga estudyanteng hinikayat na dumalo sa pulong na ito. Nanatili kaming nakaupo, kaharap sina Caitlin Hidalgo at Ma'am Renandez, habang nasa kaliwang bahagi naman nakaupo si Mrs. Sison.

"This behavior will not be tolerated Mr. Sandoval. Hindi dapat kayo nangingialam sa mga ganitong problema kung wala naman kayong kinalaman. Hindi niyo kaklase si Caitlin, at wala kayong koneksyon sa isyu, bakit kayo gumagawa ng gulo?"

"Miss Renandez, we just wanted you to be enlightened that false accusation is a criminal offense."

"Caitlin Hidalgo already confessed her crimes," sagot agad naman ng guro.

Before Klaus answered, he looked at Caitlin. "Did you really post those links on the university's website?"

"Her roommate saw her did that," sabat ng homeroom teacher nito.

"I wasn't talking to you, Ma'am. You are being disrespectful." Klaus retained his poker expression and monotonous tone. "Let's say that was what happened: Jessica Renandez saw her roommate Caitlin Hidalgo posted the link on the website. But the major question is, who was the first person who had the copies and how did it arrive on the laptop of the accused?"

Indeed. The hole in the donut. If Caitlin was telling the truth and she posted the link, then she needed to include where she got those copies first. Klaus clasped his hands and rested both his elbows on the armrest before he spoke, "Did the accused spill where and how she possessed those copies? Did you ask her the reason before issuing a sanction? Or you already concluded that she works alone, and did it for greed?"

"Does it matter? What matters right now is the sanction of Miss Hidalgo for breaking the Students' Code of Conduct. Ang ginawa niya ay labag sa panunungkulan ng eskwelahan, at kahit pa sabihin na hindi siya ang may kasalanan, siya mismo ang nagsabi na siya ang nag post nun." The firmness of Mrs. Sison's voice enveloped my ears. Kung unang beses ko sa loob ng opisina nito, malamang nangangatog na din ako sa takot, pero sanay na ako.

"Hindi niyo rin ba paparusahan kung sino man ang nangahas na kunin ang soft copy ng mga testpapers sa opisina ng School Principal? Isa pa, bakit wala siya dito at ikaw ang naisipan na maging punong tagahatol sa isyu na'to?"

"Mr. Sandoval, I am the school's guidance counselor. Wala sa eskwelahan ang punong guro dahil may dinadalohan itong school event."

"Kailan pa siya wala?" tanong ng binata.

"It does not concern you, anymore. Do help yourself out of my office before I'll issue you both a penalty for trespassing."

"Hinihintay namin ang mga estudyante na binanggit ko kanina, Mrs. Sison. I already told you, hindi lang dapat si Caitlin ang parusahan niyo. If my involvement can bring forth the real mastermind, I don't mind being punished."