The Girl Who Stole My First Kiss

Chapter Fifteen - Orm

The moment I stepped into my apartment, Gap's strong arms engulfed me in a hug, silencing the sobs that had racked my body for days. "Shhh," he murmured, his voice thick with concern. "You need to be strong. Orm's strong, so you have to be even stronger." The mere mention of her name sent a fresh wave of tears pricking my eyes.

"She woke up, Gap," I choked out, my voice trembling. "She woke up..." I couldn't finish the sentence. The terror of almost losing her forever hung heavy in the air, a bitter taste on my tongue.

"Be strong," Gap whispered, his hand stroking my hair in a comforting rhythm. "She needs you there. Needs you more than anyone."  I nodded, tears finally spilling down my cheeks.

A rush of relief washed over me as I entered the sterile white room. There she was, my Orm, propped up in the bed, a book clutched in her hand. Her smile, as radiant as ever, was the first thing I registered. It had the power to chase away the shadows that had clung to me for days.

"Hello, there beautiful!" I exclaimed, my voice thick with emotion as I approached the bed.

"Lingling Kwong!" she chirped back, her greeting echoing my own enthusiasm. Her smile, a beacon of hope, instantly lifted the weight off my chest. I settled beside her on the uncomfortable hospital bed. "What are you reading?" I asked curiously, stealing a glance at the book in her hand.

"The Secret of Us," she replied, a playful glint in her eyes. "This couple is giving me a headache! They're clearly meant to be together, but this Lada's mom... she's a total witch!" Orm exclaimed, rolling her eyes dramatically. A playful smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

"Maybe she's, you know, anti-love?" I offered, unsure of the world for "homophobic."

"Bingo!" she declared, a playful smirk replacing her annoyance. I chuckled, pulling out a small container from behind my back.

"Tiramisu!" she shrieked, her eyes lighting up with delight. "Tiramisu cake, tiramisu cake!" she sang in a childish voice as she dug into the dessert. I watched her, my heart swelling with a fierce love, as she savored each bite.

"Mmm, this is amazing, Lingling Kwong!" she exclaimed between bites. I was sketching her when she spoke again, this time a hint of worry creeping into her voice. "Lingling, what would you do if my mom...?" She trailed off, the question hanging heavy in the air. It was a question that had haunted her for the past few days, a shadow looming over our forced lightheartedness.

"I'd kidnap you," I replied without hesitation, a playful glint in my eyes. A burst of laughter escaped her lips, the sound music to my ears.

"You're such a tough guy," she teased, her smile returning. We spent the next few moments giggling and reminiscing, a comfortable silence settling between us.  Suddenly, her smile faltered.

"Hey," I said softly, taking her hand in mine. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you..." she murmured, her voice laced with guilt. We had both agreed to avoid the elephant in the room for the past three days, opting for lighthearted banter instead. But the weight of the unspoken loomed large.

"It's okay," I whispered back, squeezing her hand gently. We didn't need words. In that moment, our eyes held a universe of unspoken emotions, a love that transcended fear and uncertainty.

"Don't worry," I murmured, leaning down to kiss her softly. "Just stay with me."

Her hand fumbled beneath the bed, emerging with a small box. "I-I have something for you," she stammered, her voice cracking. "If anything happens... anytime now... you can open it. But not until then. Promise me?"

She tried for a playful tone, but the weight of her words settled heavily in my gut. I nodded, forcing a smile onto my face. Seeing her like this, so fragile, tore at my heart.