CALISTA'S P. O. VThree months pregnant and one month back in our family home. Pansamantala ko munang tinigil ang lahat ng projects ko na may kinalaman sa fashion designing. I tried my best to focus being the new CEO of my father's company. Kasabay no'n ang pagsisikap ko na maalagaan ang sarili ko at ang buhay na nasa loob ng sinapupunan ko. I have to be healthy, lalo na at hindi na ako lang ang maaapektuhan kapag nagkasakit ako. My baby will suffer more. So, I have to cautious.The revelation of my father’s affair with Ayi Hana had created a chasm between us, a rift that seemed impossible to bridge. Hindi pa rin kami okay ni Ayi, gano'n din ako kay Daddy. So, what more sa demonyitang mag ina?I was about to meet a friend when suddenly, I realized one of my bag was missing. Bukod sa limited edition at high-end 'yon ay espesyal din sa akin ang bag na 'yon. It was the very first bag I bought for myself using my first hard-earned money.Lumabas ako na tinatawag si Ate Belinda. Tatanungin
CALISTA'S P. O. VThe hospital room was sterile, cold, impersonal. The harsh fluorescent lights seemed to amplify the emptiness, the silence, the profound sense of loss that enveloped me. The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor was a mocking reminder of the life that had been, the life that was no longer. My baby. Gone.The doctor’s words echoed in my ears, a cruel, relentless barrage of medical jargon that failed to mask the devastating truth.“I’m so sorry,” he’d said, his voice soft, his eyes filled with compassion. “There was… a complication. And I hate to bring you the bad news but… you’ve had a miscarriage. You lost your baby, Miss Sanchez.”A miscarriage. The word felt alien, clinical, inadequate to describe the profound sense of loss that consumed me. It wasn’t just the loss of a pregnancy; it was the loss of a dream, the loss of a future, the loss of a part of myself. It was the loss of my child.The tears came then, a torrent of grief that shook my body, wracked my soul. T
CALISTA'S P. O. VThe drive home from the hospital was a blur, a nauseating mix of grief, anger, and a great sense of betrayal.The loss of my baby was a gaping wound, a raw, agonizing pain that consumed me. And Margaret and Monica? They were the salt rubbed into that wound. They were the reason my child was gone.After I was cleared in the hospital, nagpahinga lang ako ng isang araw at nagpa discharge na rin ako. And mind you, no one came to pick me up. Ayos lang naman dahil inaasahan ko na 'yon. Sino pa ba kasing aasahan ko na susundo sa akin? No one. I literally have NO. ONE.I walked into the house, my face grim, my eyes blazing. Margaret and Monica were in the living room, their faces a mixture of apprehension and defiance. They knew what was coming.“Get out,” I said, my voice cold, my tone uncompromising. “Both of you. Get out of my house.”Margaret’s eyes widened, her lips pressed into a thin line. Monica’s face was a mask of disbelief, her usual cheerful demeanor replaced by a
CALISTA'S P. O. VAs I settled in my room alone, the tears came again. A fresh torrent of grief that shook my body, wracked my soul. It wasn't just the loss of my baby; it was the loss of my family, the shattering of my hopes, the crushing weight of betrayal. My father, the man I’d always looked up to, the man I’d always sought approval from, had sided with Margaret and Monica. He’d chosen them over me, over his own flesh and blood. Lagi n'ya namang ginagawa 'yon. At inaasahan ko nang gagawin n'ya pa 'yon ng paulit ulit. Pero masakit pa rin pala. Each, more painful than the other.The injustice of it all felt overwhelming, a cruel twist of fate that left me reeling. I’d lost my child, I’d been betrayed by the man I’d considered my father, and now I was alone, adrift in a sea of grief and resentment. The anger was a consuming fire, a relentless inferno that threatened to consume me. But it was tempered by a deeper emotion—a profound sense of disillusionment.My family. The people I’d a
1 WEEK LATER… CALISTA'S P. O. VJust a week after losing my baby, after the brutal fallout with my family, I was back. Back in the office, back in the fray, back to work. But not as Calista, the fashion designer, chasing fleeting trends and fickle clients. But as Calista, the CEO, the new head of my father’s struggling company. Work was my refuge, my escape, my coping mechanism. Kahit noon pa man. It was a way to channel my grief, my anger, my pain into something productive, something tangible. Something that wouldn't let me drown in my sorrow. Dahil kung magmumukmok lang ako, malamang na mabaliw lang ako at baka kung ano pang naisip kong gawin. Hindi lang sa sarili ko kundi lalo na sa mga taong nakapaligid sa akin na dahilan kung bakit nagkakaganito ako ngayon.The office felt different now. It wasn't just the sterile, impersonal environment that had always been a part of the corporate world. It was the weight of responsibility, the crushing pressure of expectation, the knowledge th
CALISTA'S P. O. VI should expect those cruel actions of Margaret and Monica. Pero kahit alam ko nang kahit anong kasamaan ay magagawa nila, hindi ko pa rin mapigilan na makaramdam ng inis. The betrayal, the deceit, the sheer callousness of Margaret and Monica’s actions—it was all overwhelming. At kung ako ang tatanungin? Punung-puno na ako. They’d not only bankrupted my father’s company, but they’d done it for their own selfish gain, their own lavish lifestyles. And my father? He allowed it, condoned it, even enabled it. Kahit s'ya pa 'yung ginagawang dahilan ng magaling na mag inang 'yon. Sinisisi nila ang pagiging "lantang gulay" ni Daddy kaya nalugi at naubos ang resources nila. When in fact, dahil lang ang lahat sa maluho nilang pamumuhay. Puro palabas ang pera nila at wala nang pumapasok dahil puro paggasta lang ang alam nilang gawin. They didn't even know a single thing about the company. Baka pati simpleng mission at vision lang ng kumpanya, hindi pa nila alam.The sadness for
CALISTA'S P. O. VIt was past seven in the evening when I decided to go home.Ako na ang pinakahuling naiwan sa building. Maliban sa mga guard, of course. Sinadya ko talagang magpaiwan para makapag research ako ng tungkol sa kumpanya. I came through every files, checked every unit in this building. Marami akong napuna at balak kong gawan 'yon ng agenda para sa susunod na company meeting.Carrying the files I have obtained, I went home. The drive home was tense, the city lights blurring into streaks of color as I navigated the familiar streets. But something felt different tonight. Something was off. I could feel it in the pit of my stomach, a prickling sensation that sent a shiver down my spine.Inisip ko na rin na baka pagod lang ako kaya napa-paranoid ako ngayon.But everything started subtly, a fleeting glimpse of a dark sedan in my rearview mirror. I dismissed it at first, attributing it to coincidence, to the usual city traffic. But then, another car appeared, identical to the fir
CALISTA'S P. O. VKinabukasan.Nanginginig pa ang mga kamay ko habang dina-dial ko ang nunber ni Calvin. Buo na ang isip ko na gawin 'yung plano. Pero may kung anong kaba pa rin talaga akong nararamdaman. I guess, hindi naman mawawala 'yon, given kung ano ang gusto kong mangyari.The phone rang, each ring amplifying the tension, the anxiety, the uncertainty. Finally, he answered, his voice gruff, his tone suggesting he was still asleep."Cali?” he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. “What’s wrong?”“Calvin,” I said, my voice barely a whisper, “Sorry, nagising pa yata kita. Sorry sa istorbo—”"No!" biglang sigaw n'ya. "I-I mean, no harm done. Bakit ka napatawag?”This is it. "I need to see you. I need to talk to you,” dire-diretsong sabi ko.“What is it?” he asked, his voice more alert now, the sleepiness gone, replaced by a note of concern. “Is everything alright?”“No—I mean, yes,” I said, my voice shaking. “Everything's alright. But I still need to talk to you.”“What’s going on?”
CALI'S P. O. VThe scent of freshly baked bread and cinnamon filled the air, a comforting aroma that mingled with the laughter of my son, Lewis, as he toddled around the kitchen, his chubby hands reaching for the colorful toys scattered on the floor. It was a scene of domestic bliss, a far cry from the sterile white walls of the Hong Kong hospital waiting room five years ago. Five years. Five years since Niccolo had walked back into my life, his eyes filled with regret and a desperate hope for a second chance. Five years since I had taken a leap of faith, a chance on a love that had once been shattered. Five years since we had built a life together, a life filled with laughter, love, and the sweet chaos of family. We were married now, our vows whispered under a canopy of blooming cherry blossoms, a symbol of new beginnings. Our wedding was small, intimate, a testament to the journey we had taken, the scars we had overcome. Hana was our maid of honor, her eyes sparkling with joy as s
CALISTA'S P. O. VThe air in the hospital waiting room crackled with tension. Mabilis lang natapos ang operasyon kay Ayi Hana and it was successful. Mabilis lang at walang naging kahit anong aberya kaya hindi ko na kinailangang mamroblema. Kung may pinoproblema man ako ngayon, 'yun ay si Niccolo at si Calvin na bigla ring lumitaw dito sa ospital. I could have understand kung sa ospital sa Pilipinas lang sila biglang sumulpot nang halos sabay. But no! It was Hong Kong, for crying out loud! And since they met each other, I could already sense a silent storm brewing between them. I stood between them, a fragile bridge over a chasm of hurt and unspoken words. Niccolo, his face etched with regret and a desperate hope, looked at me, his eyes pleading for a chance, a second chance. But Calvin, his face a mask of icy resolve, stood firm, his gaze unwavering."Niccolo," Calvin said, his voice low and dangerous, "You think you can just waltz back into her life, after all this time and expect
CALISTA'S P. O. VThe sterile white walls of the hospital waiting room seemed to amplify the silence between us, a silence thick with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. Niccolo stood before me, his face a canvas of regret and longing, his eyes pleading for a chance, a second chance. But the chasm between us, carved by years of silence and the bitter sting of betrayal, seemed insurmountable.Ilang beses ko na s'yang pinaalis pero mukhang wala s'yang balak na makinig. Lalabas at papasok na lang ulit ako sa hospital room ni Ayi Hana ay nandoon pa rin s'ya sa labas—naghihintay. Kaya para matigil na s'ya sa ginagawa n'ya, naisip ko nang harapin s'ya for once and for all. "Cali," he began, his voice husky with emotion, "I know I messed up. I know I hurt you. But I've changed. I've spent years regretting my choices, wishing I could turn back time." His words washed over me, a tidal wave of regret and longing. I knew he was sincere, I could see it in his eyes, in the way his shoulders
CALISTA'S P. O. VThe whirring of the airplane engine was a constant hum, a lullaby against the backdrop of my anxiety. Beside me, Ayi Hana slept, her hand clutching my own. Her face was peaceful, oblivious to the turmoil swirling within me. It was a journey I’d never imagined taking, a pilgrimage fueled by guilt and a desperate hope. I was taking her to Hong Kong, not for a holiday, but for a miracle. I had arranged everything for Ayi Hana’s surgery, a chance for her to see the world again after years of darkness. Dahil oo, nabulag s'ya. It was an accident—pero aksidente na alam kong sinadya ni Margaret ng anak n'yang demonyita na si Monica.The flight was long, filled with a mix of anticipation and dread. Finally, Hong Kong. The air was thick with humidity, the city a symphony of honking taxis and bustling crowds. I felt a strange sense of displacement, a feeling of being both a stranger and a strong, independent woman who is willing to do everything for the woman who stood as her
CALISTA'S P. O. VThe air hung heavy with the scent of jasmine and the soft murmur of prayers. I stood at the threshold of Ayi Hana's room, my heart pounding against my ribs like a trapped bird. It had been months since I last saw her, years since the scandal that had ripped our family apart. Months since I had last called her "Ayi."She sat by the window, her frail hands clasped in her lap, her face etched with a weariness that spoke of years of sorrow. Her eyes, once bright and welcoming, were now clouded with a milky film, the light of life dimmed. "Ayi Hana," I whispered, my voice trembling.She turned, her head moving slowly, her lips curving into a faint, sad smile. "Cali," she said, her voice a raspy whisper. "You've come."I stepped into the room, the worn, familiar scent of sandalwood and incense washing over me. I knelt beside her, my hand reaching out to touch hers. It was cold, frail, a stark contrast to the warmth I remembered."I'm so sorry, Ayi," I said, my voice choke
CALISTA'S P. O. VThe reconciliation with my father was a fragile thing, a delicate balance of forgiveness, understanding, and a shared grief. After years of estrangement, of resentment, of unspoken accusations, we finally stood together, embracing, our bodies trembling, our emotions raw. The weight of the past, the burden of the years, the pain of the separation— it all seemed to lift, to dissolve, to fade.“Calista,” my father whispered, his voice thick with emotion, his arms wrapped tightly around me. “My Calista. Anak ko, I’m so sorry.”“I know, Dad,” I replied, my voice barely a whisper, my own tears streaming down my face. “I know.”“I was wrong,” he continued, his voice laced with a genuine remorse. “I was blinded by Margaret, by her lies, by her manipulations. I didn’t see what she was doing. I didn’t protect you. Kayo ng mommy mo. I failed you. I failed our family.”“It’s okay, Dad,” I said, my voice soft, my tone reassuring. “It’s over now. We’re together again. And promis
CALISTA'S P. O. VThe courtroom was a pressure cooker, the air thick with tension, the atmosphere charged with anticipation. Margaret’s trial had been swift, the evidence overwhelming, the verdict inevitable. Multiple charges, multiple convictions— she was facing a lifetime behind bars, a fitting punishment for her crimes. Monica, her accomplice, her equally culpable daughter, was also being sought, her complicity in Margaret’s schemes now undeniable.The inquest was a formality, a mere procedural step in the larger process of justice. But the tension in the courtroom was palpable, the atmosphere charged with a volatile energy. And then, chaos erupted. Men, their faces masked, their weapons drawn, stormed the courtroom, gunfire shattering the tense silence, sending the room into pandemonium. Margaret’s new boyfriend’s men, I realized with a chilling certainty. Their objective was clear— to make Margaret be able to escape.The scene unfolded in a blur of motion, a chaotic ballet of
CALISTA'S P. O. VTwo days. It had only taken two days. Two days since I’d sent the evidence to Calvin, two days since I’d confronted Margaret, two days since I’d resolved to channel my anger into action. And now, the call came, Calvin’s voice crisp, his tone controlled. Margaret had a warrant. Her arrest had been swift, almost too easy, facilitated by her very presence in my home. The irony was not lost on me.The details of her interrogation were chilling, the confession even more so. It had been Margaret, my stepmother, the woman who had pretended to care for my father, who had orchestrated my mother’s death. And she’d confessed, not out of remorse, not out of guilt, but out of a chilling, almost gleeful sense of triumph.Her voice, cold and devoid of emotion, echoed in my ears, her words a venomous sting that pierced my heart, ignited my fury. “You’re so clever! Hindi ko naisip na magagawa mo 'to. In fact, hindi ko inisip na ikaw pala ang makaka discover ng mga ginawa ko,” she
CALISTA'S P. O. VKinabukasan. Sa office. May mga dumating pang bagong ebidensya galing kay Rexia. The digital copies of the evidence arrived as promised, a weighty collection of documents that confirmed Rexia’s account, solidified my suspicions, and fueled my anger. The photographs, the financial records, the communication logs— they were all damning, all irrefutable. Margaret’s treachery, her greed, her ruthlessness— it was all laid bare, exposed, undeniable.Without hesitation, I made copies of everything, ensuring I had a backup before sending the originals to Calvin. He’d promised to review the evidence and take appropriate action, his assurance a reassuring balm to my simmering anger. The weight of responsibility, the burden of expectation— it was heavy, but I carried it with a newfound resolve, a steeled determination.Returning home, I found Margaret and Monica waiting, their presence a stark reminder of the simmering conflict that lay beneath the surface of our uneasy truce.