Unpredictable Connection

33.Between Two Boats

Shock wasn't even the right word.
I was speechless—frozen behind a car in the college parking lot with Ling and Orm beside me, all three of us crouched like criminals in a cheap rom-com.

Why were we hiding?

Well, it started earlier when Nam asked us to give Char and P'Engfa some space. I didn't stick around. Didn't even check where Nam or the others went. I just quietly left and found Ling.

What Ling and I share has always been just friendship. Nothing more. But when you're part of a scandalous love triangle people make up in their heads, that line gets blurred fast.

The viral library photo of me and Becky chatting casually? That was posted by none other than Orm—Ling's ex.

Yeah. The same ex she broke up with because her parents decided I was a more appropriate match.

I didn't react much when the post blew up. I knew what the photo looked like, but I also knew the truth.

I wasn't really affected by them. But I knew Becky was.
Even though I cleared it up to everyone, told them Becky was just a member of my group, that I was casual with her because I knew her—it didn't change how Becky saw it.

This morning,  Ling saw Orm with a guy. Jealousy was all over her face. She didn't say a word, but I could tell something was off.

She didn't say a word but spent the whole day looking tense, sulking quietly until she slipped away from the group.

Turned out—she'd gone to meet Orm.

I don't know what happened between them, and honestly, I didn't ask. Lovers' matters aren't for others to interfere with.

But sometime later, I met Orm myself and cleared the air—whatever Ling and I had was never more than friendship.

I told her that whatever people assumed between me and Ling—it never existed. There were no feelings to hide. No strings to cut. It was always just friendship.

Apparently, that was all they needed.

Ling and Orm got back together—stronger this time, ready to fight for each other, even if it means going against what others expect of them.

I admire that.
People who fight for love—they're brave.

But I've learned something else too.
Some people don't fight others for love.
They fight themselves.

Anyway—back to the parking lot.

Ling, Orm, and I were standing near Ling's car when we heard footsteps approaching. Fast, sharp. Someone was clearly pissed.

I peeked from behind the car and saw P'Engfa storming toward hers. Her face was unreadable, but the tension in her body said everything.

I was about to step forward and call her name, but Ling grabbed my wrist and yanked me back.

"Char's coming," she whispered.

So, we crouched. And watched.

We watched everything.

We saw Char chasing after P'Engfa. Heard her call her name again and again. We couldn't hear their conversation from where we were, but we didn't have to. The body language said enough.

Then—suddenly—P'Engfa pulled Char into a hug.

And a few minutes later... she kissed her.

The moment was short, but it hit like a thunderclap. The car drove off, and all we could do was stand there, stunned.