CALISTA'S P. O. VHindi ako nakatulog ng maayos kagabi. Hindi kasi mawala sa isip ko kung ano ba 'yung surprise ba sinasabi ni Niccolo. But anyways, wala na akong pake sa hindi maayos at kulang na tulog. Ang mahalaga, nagising pa ako. And that I have one more day to establish my revenge! The morning light felt different, brighter, sharper, imbued with a sense of anticipation I couldn't quite explain. Niccolo's written note of notice, his promise of a surprise, had kept me awake half the night, my mind racing, my imagination spinning out scenarios, possibilities, plans. And now, as I saw him standing before me, his expression a mixture of anticipation and amusement, I knew this was it. This was my chance.He was dressed impeccably, his usual casual attire replaced by a tailored suit that accentuated his physique, his presence commanding, his demeanor confident. And in his hand, he held a sleek, modern smartphone. "Ready to know what surprise do I have for you?” nakangiting sabi n'y
CALISTA'S P. O. VThe phone in my hand felt heavy, weighty with potential, weighty with responsibility. Niccolo’s trust, his generosity, his carelessness— they were all tools I could use to my advantage. And I would use them. My mind raced, recalling a seemingly innocuous app Calvin had given me months ago, disguised as an online shopping platform but actually a clandestine communication channel managed by the Philippine National Police Intel. It was a lifeline, a last resort, a secret weapon.With trembling fingers, I downloaded the app, my heart pounding against my ribs, a mixture of excitement and apprehension swirling within. It worked. Relief washed over me, a wave of unexpected calm that momentarily eased the tension. This was my chance. My opportunity.I initiated a conversation, my fingers flying across the screen, my mind racing, my heart pounding. Kung sinumang magbubukas ng app na 'yon ay hindi mag aakala na app pala 'yon para makipag communicate sa mga pulis. It was a
CALISTA'S P. O. VThe opulence of the event was almost suffocating, a dizzying display of wealth and power that served only to heighten my anxiety. The room buzzed with the hushed conversations of the city's elite, the richest of the rich, the most influential of the influential. And among them, I was a captive, a pawn in a dangerous game, my escape, my revenge, still within my grasp but increasingly precarious. My eyes scanned the room, searching for a familiar face, a reassuring presence, a sign of hope. I needed to see Calvin, to know that he was there, that he was ready, that he was watching.The tension was almost unbearable, the anticipation palpable. Kinakabahan na ako. May tiwala ako sa sarili ko, sa plano ko, at kay Calvin. Pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasang kabahan at mabahala. This is an event hosted and organized by the Fibonaccis. Hindi man lahat, pero alam kong karamihan sa mga nandito ngayon ay parte ng oganisasyon nila. Mga kakampi nila. Sila ang majority dito ngayon. An
CALISTA'S P. O. VThe familiar embrace of my childhood home should have been a source of comfort, a haven of peace after the ordeal I had endured. My father's joy, his relief, his overwhelming happiness at my safe return— it should have been enough to fill my heart, to ease my anxieties, to soothe my wounds. But it wasn't. The presence of Margaret and Monica, their cold stares, their thinly veiled hostility— it poisoned the atmosphere, tainted the joy, overshadowed the relief. My homecoming was bittersweet, my triumph overshadowed by their resentment.Parang pinagsisihan ko tuloy na nagpahatid ako agad dito kay Calvin. Parang mas okay yata kung sa sariling bahay ko na lang ako tumuloy. But he said it wasn't safe there. Baka balikan daw ako ni Niccolo roon. "So," Monica sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm, her eyes blazing with barely concealed animosity. "Your kidnapping antics got old, and you realized nobody cared, so you came crawling back, claiming your not so good police
CALISTA'S P. O. VIt's been days. The enhanced security detail, Calvin’s insistence on bodyguards stationed outside my building, on every floor, even outside my office door— it was all for my safety, he’d said. But the constant vigilance, the ever-present protection, only served to heighten my unease, to reinforce the sense of danger that clung to me like a shadow.Ilang araw na rin akong kumportable. Wala na kasi ang dating pakiramdam ko na may sumusunod sa akin. Parang isinuko na rin talaga ako ni Niccolo. May isang parte sa akin ang nakokonsensya, nahihirapan, at nanghihinayang. Hanggang ngayon, nakatatak pa rin aa isip ko ang ekspresyon sa mukha ni Niccolo bago kami maghiwalay. That was the exact face I want to see. 'Yon ang reaksyon n'ya na gusto kong makuha. 'Yon ang reaksyon n'ya na nai imagine ko no'ng mga panahon na nagpla plano pa lang ako sa pagganti at pagtakas ko mula sa kanya. Mula sa pamilya n'ya. Pero ngayon na nangyari na lahat, ngayon na nakita ko nga ang reaksyon
CALISTA'S P. O. VThat day at my office, wala namang ibang sinabi si Lyra kundi ang gusto akong makita at makausap ng mommy n'ya. She just set an appointment for her and I to meet. And meeting Rexia Fibonacci felt like a calculated risk, a high-stakes gamble. At ngayon na mismo nakatakda 'yon. I had informed Calvin I had a meeting with a potential investor, a simple, innocuous excuse designed to mask my true intentions. Hindi ko na sinabi sa kanya ang totoo. Kung sino ba talaga ang imi meet ko at kung tungkol saan ba 'to. I am with my bodyguards, anyway. Kaya kahit paapano ay safe pa rin ang pakiramdam ko. Isa pa, sa public place naman gusto makipagkita ni Rexia kaya okay na rin sa akin. Sakaling balakin nila ba kidnap in ako ulit, at least marami nang makakakita. The restaurant was bustling, filled with the lunchtime crowd, the noise and activity a comforting buffer against the tension that coiled within me. Lyra’s description of her mother’s disguise was accurate. Rexia, in he
CALISTA'S P. O. VRexia’s words were a revelation, a cascade of information that shattered my preconceived notions, overturned my assumptions, and reshaped my understanding of the conflict between the Fibonacci and Sy families. Her calm, measured tone, her unwavering gaze, her genuine remorse— they all contributed to a sense of unsettling truthfulness. I listened intently, my mind racing, my emotions a chaotic mix of disbelief, anger, and a dawning understanding.“Suspect,” Rexia began, her voice soft, her tone laced with a quiet sadness. “It was never proven, Calista. And that’s why I’m here. To clear everything up.”0“Okay,” I replied, my voice steady, my tone controlled. “I’ll listen. Just make sure everything you say is true. I want the truth, not something designed to clear your family’s name or Niccolo’s.”She nodded, her expression serious, her gaze unwavering. “Let’s start with the person who started it all— Margaret.”My eyebrows rose in surprise. “Margaret? Margaret,
CALISTA'S P. O. VRexia’s words hung in the air, heavy with implication, laden with revelation.The carefully constructed narrative I had built around Niccolo, the image of a manipulative, power-hungry villain— it was crumbling, dissolving, replaced by a more complex, more nuanced reality. My mind struggled to process the sheer volume of information, to reconcile it with my preconceived notions, to understand the intricate web of deceit that had ensnared me."Ang hirap maniwala. Hindi ako makapaniwala na magagawa n'ya 'yon. Margaret might be bad towards me, pero hindi n'ya magagawa kay Daddy 'yang mga sinasabi mo.” “Margaret. Hindi mo pa nga talaga s'ya kilala,” Rexia began, her gaze unwavering. “Does Margaret really loves your father? Or maybe, she loved his money.”The statement hung in the air, a stark, unsettling truth that resonated deep within me.“What?” I whispered, my voice barely audible, my mind reeling.“We both know it, Calista,” Rexia said, her tone gentle, her expressi
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.