The Biggest Loser Is My Lover

Chapter 2: Promise

“You're gonna leave us, P'Orm?” Noi, one of the kids at the farm, asked, evidently sad at the news that Orm will leave Buriram for Bangkok. 

“Ay!” Orm pulled the little girl who had been very close to her into a hug. “Don't cry, Nong. Phi has to go and work to help the plantation.” 

“I'll miss P'Orm.” Said the little girl. 

Orm pouted, resting her chin on top of the girl's head. “I'll miss you too.” Then, she leaned back and smiled brightly. “But don't worry, Phi will visit often. I'll buy you souvenirs from Bangkok too!” She said while wiping the tears brimming on Noi's eyes. 

“Promise?”

Orm nodded, smiling softly. “Promise.” Locking it with a pinky swear that made the young girl smile as well. “Don't cry now.” She chuckled, wiping the girl's 

Noi nodded despite the years in her eyes, cheeks puffed. 

“And promise me that you'll take care of Uni, okay?” 

“I promise, Phi!” 

“Good girl.” Orm gave her another bright smile, mirroring the smile of the little girl. 

“Orm!” “N'Orm!” 

Orm turned her head to the side to see both her mother and cousin, Eclair, approaching the field. By that, she knew she had to leave to prepare for Bangkok. Her smile faded a little. When she looked down at Noi, the girl was already looking at her, seemingly about to cry again, so she offered her a smile. “Phi has to go and prepare, Nong.” 

Noi's face fell but nodded. Their family has been working for a long time at the plantation Orm's family owned, hence they were both very close. She jumped out of Orm's lap but hugged her again once the latter had stood up. “Please take care, P'Orm!”

Orm bent a little to hug Noi. “I will. Remember our promise, okay?” She said and the little girl nodded. 

“N'Noi!” 

Noi, wiping her tears that she couldn't contain, ran towards her older sister. 

“P'Ying.” Orm smiled upon seeing the older girl. 

Ying was two years older than Orm. Both of them grew up on the farm and have been close since childhood. “I'm sorry for this brat’s behavior.” She jokingly said, making her sister huff and pout. “You…need to go?” She asked, gesturing to Orm's mother. Orm only nodded. “You should go now. Your mom's waiting.” 

Orm nodded once again. She then went to give Ying a quick hug. “I will miss you, P'Ying.” 

Ying gulped down. “I'll sure miss your stubbornness too, Nong.” She chuckled but it came out a bit shaky. It was her who broke the embrace first. “Take care, N'Orm.” 

Orm pouted but nodded. This time, she was like how Noi was to her earlier. She waved goodbye to the sisters before walking towards her mother and cousin. 

As soon as Orm reached them, her mother slapped her shoulder. 

“Aww, mom!” Orm whined while Eclair just laughed. 

“We were looking for you at home and you're just here?” Koy, Orm's mother, was visibly done with her daughter's antics. “It will be dinner soon and you still have to prepare your things.” 

“I'll prepare for it. I'll prepare for it.” Orm apologetically bowed her head but smiled mischievously. Before going inside the car. She waved one last time at Noi and Ying. 

As the car door closed, Noi looked up at her older sister's expression and sighed. Carefully, she moved closer and hugged her from the side. 

“I still have time, right mom?”

“The flight is early in the morning, Nong.” Eclair was the one who answered this time. 

“Huh?!” Orm exclaimed. “I thought we were driving?” 

“Mr. Kwong invited us for dinner tomorrow. We still have to rest and then prepare for it.” Koy answered. 

“Your future wife will be there, I heard.” Eclair teased, bumping Orm's shoulder lightly. “Are you excited?” 

Orm just shrugged her shoulders. She had no idea what kind of person Sirilak Kwong was like in person. She has seen her on the news and business magazines, and she seemed nice and driven, making her admirable to anyone in the business field including Orm. But one thing she noticed for sure, she never smiled with teeth out. She couldn't make an opinion on her just yet. 

Koy smiled a little—unsure yet hopeful. Her mother mentioned something about an agreement made between her grandmother and her friend, but she didn't think much of it not until Plai Paramej Kwong came to see them. It wasn't just a promise of marriage between their daughters but also an opportunity to boost their business and have Orm work under Noiam Industries. She felt bad as it seemed like they were selling her, but Orm agreed herself. She must have found out about the current state of the plantation, she thought. It was making her feel guiltier. 

“We can stop this if you want to.” Koy offered as she held her daughter's hand. 

Orm, however, smiled brightly—it was comforting, at least for her mother. “I'll be fine, mom.” 

“After three years if it doesn't work, Buriram will welcome you back.” Koy told her daughter. 

“I know.” Orm chuckled. 

Eclair hugged both of them. “N'Orm, you're a grown up now. You're making me cry!”

“Stop the drama please.” Orm playfully rolled her eyes. “I'll take care of myself. You don't have to worry.” She said in a reassuring tone to both her mother and her cousin. 

After a while, they fell into a comfortable silence as they drove back to their house. 

Orm stared at the streaks of clouds on the yellow and crimson sky. She rolled the window down and rested her chin on her arm, feeling the fresh breeze of the provincial air. “Sirilak Kwong…” She whispered to the air. 

“Congratulations, Khun Sirilak Kwong, Thailand's Top Young Entrepreneur of 2023.” 

“Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia…Sirilak Kwong.”

Lingling was only three years older than her, but she has accomplished a lot. Orm has always admired her prowess in business, and have been hoping to be like her too. Who would have thought the other great grandchild was Lingling Kwong who her grandmother has talked about a lot. 

The story of the bunny and the chick. 

“...P'Lingling, I can't wait to meet you.” Orm mouthed with a hopeful smile.