R O O M 16 (Sixteen Series #1)

Part 15

FIFTEEN

"The...Asst. Principal."

Everybody gasped after hearing my answer.

"Ace...a-ano?" It was Shane who asked.

"What?"

Halos karamihan sa kanila ay nagtatakang lumingon sa akin. Nica is still sobbing but she stopped talking.

I heavily sighed, "The Asst. Principal is...Nica's Aunt's husband. To be precise, she is...his niece."

"N-nica...why didn't you...?"

Ilang beses napailing si Nica sa mga sinasabi nila.

"I-I can't...siya...siya yung nagbabayad ng hospital bills ni mama. Nasa hospital ngayon si mama. Breast Cancer, stage 3. K-kung...kung hindi ko siya susundin o...papayagan. He will stop paying...ayoko...ayoko na may mangyari kay mama..."

Nica once again cried. Dinadaluhan na siya ngayon ng karamihan sa kaklase namin.

"And your Aunt? A-alam niya ba 'to?" Nicole asked. Nica shaked her head.

"Damn...then, what should we do? May mas mataas na posisyon ang kalaban natin. Hawak niya sa leeg si Nica. Anong magagawa nating outsider?" Mark stated.

"We just need...enough evidence. Mark, we're not an outsider in this case anymore. The only thing we need is a definite proof." Kiara replied.

"But how? How should we able to get that?" Faith asked.

"Guys...sina sir Alevaro at sir Dela Cruz...sasabihan ba natin?" Karl also asked.

Agad na napailing si Nica, "Please, huwag. H'wag muna, guys...hindi ko...hindi ko pa kakayanin."

Lahat kami'y agad na natahimik at napatitig kay Nica.

Basically, we have manpower but...none of us is in a high rank or position here to make a move. We're all just students. Students of room  16. The trouble makers of San Ignacio.

Each of us are eager to help. But the problem lies with our capability and status. Kahit gustuhin man naming tumulong ay wala kaming sapat na ebidensya. What Kiara showed us is still not enough.

However, my eyes stilled on one person across the room. He probably felt my gaze that's why he looked back to me.

Kian. The son of the Principal.

Shane and I are also a teacher's child pero mas lamang si Kian sa amin. Although, I know that he does not have a good relationship with the principal. But, if he can show the video to his father, we still have a chance.

Natahimik parin ang karamihan sa amin at nag-iisip.

I moved and went near Kiara that is still beside Nica. Hinila ko siya ng bahagya at sumunod naman sa akin.

"We need to think this thoroughly. We have to plan something. Huwag muna nating sabihin kina Sir Alevaro at Papa. I'll talk to Kian. I'll convince him...we don't have a choice."

Nagtaka pa si Kiara sa sinabi ko pero maya-maya'y nanlaki ang mata nito at napatitig kay Kian na nakaupo sa isang gilid habang kinakausap siya ni Len.

"Right... K-kian is...the principal's—"

I cutted her off. "Yes, that's why I need you to tell everyone to calm down first...especially si Nica." I eyed Nica who is still messily slumped on the bed.

Agad na tumango si Kiara at pinunasan ang pisngi at mata niyang basa pa ng luha.

"Guys...we need to have a plan first. But please, do not tell anyone, yet. Not Sir Alevaro or Sir Dela Cruz. We still have our expidition. Tapusin muna natin ito bago tayo gumalaw, okay? Pwede na muna kayong bumalik sa kaniya-kaniyang silid. I'll talk to Sir Alevaro...about Nica's health. Please, just please, do not tell anyone. Tayo lang muna ang makakaalam nito."