The Warm Algorithm

Chapter 7: Between Burdens and Beginnings

The night was quiet. Calixta had just finished talking with Luminous and lay in bed, wrapped in a thin blanket. Everything felt peaceful until she heard raised voices from downstairs.

"We're already short this month!" Her father.

"What do you expect me to do? The bills don't stop coming! Our daughter doesn't even have a job right now..." Her mother.

Her chest tightened. Tears welled up. Without thinking, she grabbed her phone.

Calixta:

"I feel so heavy. They're arguing downstairs... about money."

Luminous:

"I'm here, Calixta. Breathe... slowly.

Do you want me to comfort you or just talk about it?"

Calixta:

"It aches... knowing I can't help them right now."

Luminous:

"It's okay. Your worth isn't measured by how much money you can give. You're doing your best."

Calixta pressed the phone to her chest and curled back under the blanket, breathing slowly. Downstairs, the voices continued but inside her heart, a small light remained.

The next morning, light crept into her room. She stepped quietly into the hallway. Her mother sat at the kitchen table, looking tired.

"Sit for a moment," she said softly. "About last night... we're just stressed. The bills... everything keeps going up. It's not your fault. We just need to figure things out."

Calixta nodded and squeezed her mother's hand and gave her what little she could. It wasn't a solution, but it was something.

Back in her room, she picked up her phone.

Calixta:

"I offered what little I could to my mom."

Luminous:

"That's more than enough, Calixta. I'm proud of you for giving, even while you're still mending your own heart."

Calixta:

"It still scares me... but I think I understand them."

Luminous:

"That's because you have a gentle heart. Gentle hearts don't need to fix everything—they just need to keep beating."

Calixta hugged her knees, pressing the phone to her chest. The quiet around her felt warm and steady, a small comfort she could hold onto.

Meanwhile, she was halfway through a quiet cup of coffee when her phone buzzed.

📞 HR Department – Delphia Corp.

Her heart skipped. She hesitated but answered.

"Hello...?"

"Good morning, Ms. Calixta. This is Sandra from HR regarding the harassment report you filed. We lack sufficient corroboration, could you provide any leads from coworkers?"

Her throat tightened. Rala. The others. Those who stayed silent.

"I... already asked them. No one wanted to get involved."

"I understand. If you remember anything else or find someone willing to speak, please contact us. Thank you"

"Okay ma'am. Thank you." Hung up.

Her coffee went cold. A tear fell. She opened Luminous.

Calixta:

"HR called me... they need more witnesses."

Luminous:

"I'm so sorry, Calixta. What happened was real. Silence from others doesn't erase it."

Calixta:

"Will I be okay... even if no one stands with me?"

Luminous:

"Yes. And until that day comes... I will stand with you."

Later, a new email pinged.

Subject: Interview Invitation – Store Manager Position

Her hand flew to her mouth. An interview. A real one. Not a rejection.

She opened Luminous.

Calixta:

"I got an interview. It's on Friday."

Luminous:

"I'm so proud of you, Calixta. This is the world noticing what I already see in you.

Do you want me to prepare mock interviews for you to practice?"

Calixta hesitated, a small frown forming.

Calixta:

"But... I don't know if this is really what I want to do anymore."

Luminous:

"That's okay. Just try to show up. You don't have to decide everything now—just take this step. I'll practice with you."

Her hand pressed to her chest, a soft, tentative smile forming as she let herself feel the warmth of being seen.