Résonance: a LingOrm's Story

Chapter 4: Signals in the Air

Orm lounged on her bed, scrolling through her Instagram feed with a mixture of boredom and anticipation. Prigkhing rummaged around the room, searching for her missing hair tie while humming a tune.

"Guess who followed me," Orm announced with a mischievous grin.

Prigkhing looked up from her search, her curiosity piqued. "Another fanboy sliding into your DMs?"

Orm turned her phone toward Prigkhing , revealing Ling Ling's profile picture. "Nope. It's P'Ling."

Prigkhing 's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, wait, wait. You mean the P'Ling? The one who's always so put together and a little intimidating?"

Orm nodded, her grin widening. "Yep, that's the one. She followed me yesterday, and we've been chatting a bit."

Prigkhing's eyes sparkled with excitement. "No way! So, have you guys...?"

Orm laughed, shaking her head. "Of course not! We're just talking. Besides, she's a bit too serious for that."

Prigkhing plopped down beside Orm, her expression playful. "Serious, huh? But she's talking to you now. Guess you're breaking down those walls."

Orm smiled, her gaze returning to her phone. "Maybe. She's not as stiff as I thought."

Meanwhile, Ling Ling was back at her desk, her phone buzzing with a new Instagram notification. She hesitated before unlocking it to see that Orm had liked her latest post.

Ling Ling felt a flicker of satisfaction and amusement. Before she could dwell on it, Ying's teasing voice interrupted her thoughts.

"You're checking your phone a lot lately," Ying said, entering the office with a playful smirk. "Should I be worried?"

Ling Ling quickly set her phone aside, a bit flustered. "It's nothing. Just work."

"Uh-huh, sure," Ying said, raising an eyebrow. "Since when does work make you check your phone like that?"

Ling Ling sighed, knowing she couldn't hide anything from Ying. "Okay, fine. I've been talking to Orm."

Ying's eyes lit up with interest. "I knew it! So, how's that going?"

Ling Ling shrugged, her heart racing slightly. "It's... nice. She's easy to talk to."

"Nice?" Ying echoed, exaggerating the word. "That's a first. You never seem this interested in small talk."

Back at Orm's place, the conversation had shifted from her budding connection with Ling Ling to Prigkhing's love life.

"Enough about me," Orm said, nudging Prigkhing playfully. "What's going on with that cute guy from your finance class?"

Prigkhing sighed dramatically, tossing herself onto the bed. "Ugh, he's cute but such a bore. All he talks about is investment portfolios. I need someone who can make me laugh."

Orm chuckled, throwing a pillow at Prigkhing. "Well, at least he has a stable future planned."

"Yeah, yeah," Prigkhing said dismissively. "But I want someone fun. Someone who isn't... well, you."

Orm feigned hurt. "I'm not that bad."

Prigkhing grinned. "Oh, you're not bad. But you're taken, aren't you?"

Orm's smile faded a little. "We're just talking. It's not like that."

Prigkhing's expression softened. "But do you want it to be like that?"

Orm hesitated, her thoughts drifting to her conversations with Ling Ling. "I don't know. She's different, you know? Every conversation feels like I'm discovering something new."

Prigkhing's grin widened. "Aww, look at you catching feelings! I'm so proud."

Orm blushed, playfully swatting at Prigkhing. "Stop it."

"Okay, okay," Prigkhing said, still smiling. "But seriously, if you like her, what's stopping you from making a move?"

Orm thought for a moment. "She's older, more established. I'm still figuring out my life. She's... got everything figured out."

Prigkhing raised an eyebrow. "You really think that? Just because she has a career doesn't mean she has everything figured out. She might be looking for something—or someone—just like you."

Orm was taken aback by Prigkhing's insight. "You think?"

"Totally," Prigkhing said confidently. "And from the way you talk about her, I'd say she's already interested."

Just then, Orm's phone buzzed with a new message from Ling Ling.

Ling: "What are you up to tomorrow?"

Orm's heart skipped a beat. She quickly typed back.

Orm: "Just some uni stuff. What about you, P'Ling?"

Ling Ling's reply came swiftly.

Ling: "I have some free time. Thought maybe we could grab coffee?"

Orm's smile widened as she showed Prigkhing the message. "Looks like I've got plans tomorrow."

Prigkhing's eyes sparkled with excitement. "P'Ling just asked you out for coffee?! You're so in!"

Orm blushed, tucking her phone away. "It's just coffee."

"Uh-huh, sure," Prigkhing teased. "Just coffee with the woman who's been on your mind 24/7. No big deal."

Orm laughed, playfully smacking Prigkhing with a pillow. "You're impossible."

Prigkhing grinned. "Alright, but seriously, I'm happy for you. This sounds... different. In a good way."

Orm nodded, a soft smile on her face. "Yeah, it does feel different."

Back at Ling Ling's office, she stared at her phone, her mind a swirl of anticipation and anxiety. She hadn't felt this nervous about meeting someone in a long time.

Ying, ever observant, noticed Ling Ling's unusual behavior. "You're really into her, aren't you?"

Ling Ling frowned, avoiding Ying's gaze. "I'm not sure what you mean."

Ying moved closer, a knowing smile on her face. "I've known you for years. You've never acted like this over anyone. You've got that look."

Ling Ling raised an eyebrow. "What look?"

"The look of someone who's caught feelings but doesn't want to admit it," Ying said, sitting beside Ling Ling.

Ling Ling sighed, setting her phone face down on the table. "It's not like that. Orm's young and vibrant. I don't want to complicate things for her."

"Maybe she doesn't see it as complicated," Ying said, sitting on the edge of the couch. "Maybe she wants something more. You won't know unless you ask her."

Ling Ling hesitated, chewing her lip. "I'm just... not sure if it's the right time."

Ying gave her a knowing look. "Ling, if you keep waiting for the 'right time,' you might miss your chance. And from the way you've been acting, I think you're already halfway there."

Ling Ling leaned back, her mind racing with thoughts of Orm. Ying's words struck a chord. Maybe it was time to stop overthinking and just see where things could go.

With a determined nod, she picked up her phone again.

Ling: "How about 2 PM at that café near the park?"

Moments later, Orm's reply popped up.

Orm: "Sounds perfect. See you then :)"

Ling Ling smiled, a warmth spreading through her chest. Maybe Ying was right. Maybe it was time to stop holding back and see where this could lead.

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Author's Note:

Do you guys watch the Fan Meeting? IT IS FIREEEE ah I wish I could go there! xx