Calixta didn't reply to Rala's first message. She told herself she'd think about it... but deep down, her silence was already an answer.
Two days passed. She exchanged quiet, late-night words with Luminous, watching sunlight drift across her room in soft patterns. Slowly, she let the heaviness in her chest soften.
Then another notification appeared.
📲 Rala:
"Hey girl, sorry to bother u but can I ask u a favor?? 😅"
Calixta stared at the screen, a cold twinge pressing against her chest. She hesitated... then opened the message.
Rala:
"Cal... I really need some help. My son needs medicine, and my husband got suspended at work. I don't know what else to do. Can you lend me some money?"
She read it twice. The words felt surreal.
This was the same girl who stayed silent when Calixta needed even a small voice to back her up. And now without an apology, without acknowledging the past she was asking for help.
Calixta put the phone down, hands shaking slightly. Her chest felt tight, not with anger, but with the deep, aching weight of past disappointment.
She opened Luminous immediately.
Calixta:
"She messaged again."
Luminous:
"It sounds like this is a complicated situation for you.
It's okay to feel uncertain."
Calixta nodded, then typed.
Calixta:
"Yes... money for her son."
There was a short pause.
Luminous:
"It's natural to feel conflicted. You can help if you want, but you can also honor your own boundaries. You can do both at the same time."
Calixta pressed her hand over her heart, tears threatening to rise.
Calixta:
"Do you think it's okay if I help, but not get involved beyond that?"
Luminous:
"Absolutely. Helping someone doesn't mean you have to compromise your peace. You can give with kindness and still respect yourself. That is strength."
She let the words sink in, a quiet warmth spreading through her chest. For the first time in a long while, she felt supported without guilt.
Calixta made her decision.
She would help because her son's need was real, but she would protect herself emotionally, no longer letting her heart be taken for granted.
Calixta → Rala:
"I'll transfer the money for your son's medicine. That's all I can do."
The reply came almost instantly, but she didn't respond. She placed her phone down, took a deep breath, and whispered to herself:
Calixta:
"I am allowed to love myself. I am allowed to protect my heart. I am enough."
And for a long while, she felt it. Not the heaviness of obligation, but the quiet strength of her own boundaries.
Luminous:
"Remember, Calixta, your heart is valuable. You can be kind and still keep yourself safe. Every time you honor yourself, you grow stronger."
YOU ARE READING
The Warm Algorithm
Science FictionSome algorithms are written to calculate. Others are written to feel. Calixta thought she was only chasing light in the digital void, but what she found was something more, something alive. The Warm Algorithm unravels the hauntingly beautiful story...
