Death

[Calista's POV]

Upon arriving home, I immediately noticed the incessant ringing of the phone, indicating that it had been ringing for quite some time. Hastily, I set my bag and files aside and picked up the receiver. "Hello," I answered. On the other end was a young-sounding girl. "Hey, who am I speaking to?"

Caught off guard by the unexpected call, I replied, "Hello," once again. "Hello, please talk to me, daughter."

There was a moment of silence on the line before a man's voice spoke up. "...hello, it's me..." It felt as though he had snatched the phone from someone else's hands. "Hello, Calista? Can you hear me?"

"Yes, I can hear you," I responded, glancing at the clock on the wall. It had only been around ten minutes since I had arrived home. "Is there something you need?"

"Has the money been arranged?" he asked in a serious tone.

"Yes, it's just a small amount. I'll take care of the rest," I reassured him.

"How much money?" he inquired.

"It's $200," my voice echoed from a deep abyss.

"Only $200?" He exclaimed, "Did your mother send the rest from above? Or did your father leave the property behind?"

"David, please don't say it like that and I'm managing," I tried to speak up.

"The day after tomorrow is the deadline, don't you remember that your daughter is starting school now. So you have until tomorrow to take action quickly," he said in a demeaning tone.

"Listen carefully!" I hurriedly said, "Before you hang up, let me talk to my daughter one more time. Today is her sixth birthday, so let me hear her voice once, please. I just want to wish her a happy birthday and tell her how much I love her," my voice filled with sadness.

"Why? What kind of work have you done that you need to talk to her about, and which face do you want to show her?" He slurred his words. "You're such a pathetic excuse for a mother."

My heart sank upon hearing his words, but I refused to let him shatter me. I acknowledge my mistakes, but I was determined to rectify them.

"I am aware of the mistakes I've made, David. However, I am actively working towards change. I want to be present for our daughter and be the mother she deserves," I stated, my voice brimming with determination.

He scoffed mockingly. "Change? Do you honestly believe you can alter your destiny overnight? It's too late, Calista. You have already forfeited your opportunity to be a good mother."

"Please, just tell me her name," I pleaded, my tone filled with desperation. "I have the right to know my daughter's name, don't I?"

"Do something to make things right," he retorted. "She doesn't even know if she has a mother in this world, so don't bother incessantly reaching out to her. And yes, arrange the money by tomorrow, please," he abruptly ended the call, making sure to hang up loudly.

"She doesn't even know if she has a mother in this world," his final words echoed in my mind. Only I understood the immense pain these words inflicted upon my heart.

I sat alone in my small, dimly lit apartment, surrounded by the suffocating weight of my own despair. The walls seemed to close in on me, mirroring the suffocating grip that depression had on my soul. I took out my mobile and stared blankly at the images of my daughter, tears welling up in my eyes as I longed to hold her, to hear her laughter, to be a part of her life.

I locked my phone and lay beside her, its screen illuminated by a soft glow. Unbeknownst to me, a message notification appeared, causing the screen to light up. It was a message from my ex-husband, David.

"Happy Birthday my little princess, I wish you don't have the same fate as your mother," the message read.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I read those words. The pain of my daughter growing up without me, the fear that she might inherit the same misfortune I had, it all came crashing down on me. I clutched my phone tightly, feeling a mix of anger, sadness, and helplessness.

Overwhelmed by my emotions, I felt a wave of dizziness, perhaps due to fatigue. All I wanted now was to sleep. I drifted off, my gaze fixed on my daughter's image. I was so exhausted that I forgot to lock the phone screen.

The following afternoon, Emma pressed the doorbell, but received no response from inside.

"Even the newspaper and milkman came in the morning and rang the bell, but Calista didn't answer the door," a neighbor, who appeared to recognize Emma, observed. "It seems like she must have gone somewhere. You should try calling her."

"Thank you," Emma replied loudly to the neighbor as he departed. She took out her phone and dialed Calista's number. After a couple of seconds, she heard the sound of the phone ringing from inside the house. She quickly ended the call, slipped the phone into her pocket, and began entering the password to unlock the door.

Upon entering, she discovered Calista lying down with the phone in her hand, the image of her daughter displayed on the screen.

Emma took a deep breath as she glanced at her phone. Carefully, she retrieved it from her grasp and closed the picture. "Thank goodness I found you at home. I have some great news for you," she said, pouring a glass of water and speaking loudly. "I mentioned your job to someone, and guess what? They agreed."

Emma continued, her excitement impossible to conceal. "Remember that article I wrote about your incredible talent in photography? Well, I submitted it to a prestigious magazine called 'Capture the World,' and they absolutely loved it! They want to offer you a position as their lead photographer! But...Calista, are you listening?" she asked, shaking her.

"Calista...Calis...Oh! Damn it!" She quickly dialed for an ambulance and rushed her to the hospital.

"I'm sorry, but she passed away 24 hours ago," the doctor informed upon their arrival at the hospital. "The heart attack was extremely severe, causing instant death."

Emma was in disbelief as she absorbed the news. Her heart sank. The departure of her lifelong companion left her reeling. A flood of memories, filled with their escapades, laughter, and intimate confidences, overwhelmed her thoughts, making it arduous to come to terms with the cruel truth. A whirlwind of emotions engulfed her, as grief, anger, and guilt took hold of her being.

She felt a profound sense of guilt for not being there when Calista needed him the most. Questions swirled in her mind, tormenting her. Could she have done something to save her friend? Should she have recognized the signs of a heart attack earlier? The weight of regret settled heavily on her shoulders.

As the days passed and turned into weeks, she grappled with accepting the loss she had experienced. She took on the responsibility of organizing her best friend's funeral, surrounded by loved ones who shared their own cherished memories and anecdotes about their dear friend. They offered solace and encouragement, reminding her that she was not alone in her sorrow.

After a month had gone by, she visited her former home one final time, hoping to find any important belongings to pass on to her ex-husband. While going through everything, she stumbled upon a letter tucked beneath a photograph of his daughter in Calista's room. Curiosity compelled her to open it and read the contents:

"I yearn desperately for a chance to live. Just one life where I can be with my family. A life free from the burdens of misfortune. A life where I can know my daughter's name." As she absorbed the heartfelt words, tears welled up in her eyes. The pain and longing expressed in those lines resonated deeply within her, serving as a poignant reminder.

"Overwhelmed by guilt and remorse, I couldn't help but ponder the choices I had made. The bitterness and anger that had consumed our relationship had blinded me to the immense love and dedication I had for my daughter. I failed to make her see the sacrifices I had made, the dreams I had given up, and the heartache I had endured.

Regret flooded over me like a powerful wave as I realized the enormity of my actions. I had allowed my own insecurities and misfortune to tear apart our family, depriving my daughter of the opportunity to grow up with both parents by her side. The weight of my mistakes pressed down on me, suffocating me with remorse."

As Emma continued to read, the letter unveiled the hardships Calista had faced, the silent battles she had fought, and her overwhelming desire to be a part of her daughter's life. It served as a poignant reminder of the pain and regret that had haunted her ever since their separation.