Résonance: a LingOrm's Story

Chapter 8: Dorm Visit

Ling Ling sat at her desk, her eyes darting between the clock and her phone. The night had been restless, her mind replaying the events of the previous evening. Orm had seemed better this morning, but Ling couldn't shake the worry that lingered.

Her phone buzzed, and she saw a message from Ying, who had been catching up with her since the dinner. Ying's words were a blend of concern and curiosity, reflecting the bond they had developed over their shared conversations.

Ling quickly typed back, filling Ying in on Orm's condition. 

Ling: "Orm's doing a bit better today. She's resting now, but I'm still worried. Do you think we should visit her tomorrow?"

A moment later, Ying's reply came through. 

Ying: "Absolutely. I'm sure she'd appreciate the company. I can come with you. Besides, it'll be fun to see how Orm's doing firsthand."

Ling felt a wave of relief at Ying's willingness to help. "Great. I'll make arrangements to visit. I'll let you know the details."

With the plan in place, Ling decided to get Prig's phone number so they could coordinate their visit. She quickly found Prig's contact details and sent a message. "Hi Prigkhing, it's Ling Ling. Would it be possible for you to meet us at the gate tomorrow? We're planning to visit Orm, and we need someone to let us in since we can't enter the dorm ourselves."

Prig replied promptly, though her message was tinged with curiosity. "Sure, I can meet you. But you know, it's a bit surprising to hear from you. What's the plan?"

Ling's reply was straightforward. "We just want to check in on Orm and make sure she's doing alright. We'll be there around 10 AM if that works for you."

"Got it," Prig responded. "I'll arrange for you to be allowed in as family. See you then."

The next morning, Ling and Ying made their way to Orm's dormitory. Ling's nerves were still on edge, but she was determined to be there for Orm. Ying, ever the calm presence, reassured Ling with her casual demeanor.

When they arrived at the dorm's entrance, Prigkhing was already waiting for them. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw Ying stepping out of the car.

"Oh my god," Prig muttered, staring at Ying. "Is that really P'Ying? The famous model?"

Ying flashed a warm, approachable smile. "Hi, I'm Ying. Nice to meet you."

Prig's jaw dropped. "I had no idea you were friends with P'Ling. Orm never mentioned anything about you."

Ling gave Prig a gentle smile. "Ying's been a great friend. Thanks for helping us out."

Prig quickly recovered her composure and nodded, though her eyes kept darting between Ling and Ying with a mix of admiration and disbelief. "No problem. I'll get you the visitor's pass. Just follow me."

Prig led them through the gate and into the dormitory. The building was typical for a university residence: functional and a bit worn, but with a certain charm. They climbed the stairs to Orm's floor, and Prig knocked on the door before letting them in.

Inside, Orm was resting in her dorm room, which was modestly furnished but decorated with personal touches. Her face lit up with a mix of surprise and gratitude when she saw Ling and Ying.

"P'Ling! P'Ying!" Orm's voice was weak but filled with genuine warmth. "You came all the way here?"

Ling smiled softly, her concern evident. "We wanted to make sure you're okay. How are you feeling today?"

Orm shifted in her bed, trying to sit up. "A bit better. Thanks for coming. I'm sorry you had to see me like this."

Ying approached with a casual, big-sisterly air. "Don't worry about it. We're here to make sure you're okay. And besides, we've had some good times together at the café. It's nice to catch up in person."

Ling set up a small table next to Orm's bed, carefully arranging some peeled fruits and snacks she had brought along. She looked at Orm with a soft, reassuring gaze as she offered her the fruit. "You need to eat something. It'll help you feel better."

Orm accepted the fruit gratefully, though her eyes darted toward Ying, who was engaging in light, friendly conversation. "It's really nice to see you, P'Ying. I feel bad that our first time meeting outside the café is under these circumstances."

Ying chuckled, waving off the concern. "Don't stress about it. I'm just glad to see you're on the mend. We're friends now, right? Friends visit each other, even if it's when you're not feeling your best."

Prig watched the interaction with a mix of fascination and amusement. The sight of Ying, a high-profile model, mingling so casually with her friend and Ling was something she had never anticipated. It was clear that Orm was genuinely touched by their visit.

As Ling continued to fuss over Orm, peeling fruits and making sure she was comfortable, a new figure appeared in the room. A young man named Kim, who had been hovering around Orm with a concerned look, stepped forward.

"Orm, you should rest more," Kim said, his voice filled with care. "I can take care of things here if you need anything."

Ling's expression tightened slightly. She could sense that Kim's attentiveness was bordering on overbearing, and it made her uncomfortable. Yet, her focus remained on Orm's well-being.

Orm noticed the subtle tension and gave Ling a grateful look. "Thank you, Kim. I'm alright for now. P'Ling and P'Ying have been so kind to visit."

Kim nodded, though his gaze lingered on Orm with a protective intensity. Ling, sensing the dynamic, kept her attention on Orm, making sure she had everything she needed.

The visit continued with Ying and Ling chatting with Orm, their presence providing a much-needed distraction from her illness. They shared stories, laughed over small anecdotes, and engaged in light-hearted conversation, making the atmosphere more relaxed despite the circumstances.

As the visit drew to a close, Ling and Ying prepared to leave. Ling's heart was still heavy with concern, but she felt a bit more reassured after seeing Orm in better spirits. Ying had managed to lighten the mood and offer support in a way that felt both genuine and comforting.

Prig, still in a state of awe over the entire situation, thanked Ling and Ying before they left. "Thank you for coming. I never expected to see P'Ying here, but I really appreciate it. It means a lot to Orm."

Ling nodded, her gaze softening as she looked back at Orm. "We just wanted to make sure she's okay. And thank you for letting us in."

With their goodbyes said, Ling and Ying left the dormitory, the weight of the visit settling in their minds. Ling felt a renewed sense of connection with Orm, understanding that despite the challenges, their bond was growing stronger.

As they walked back to the car, Ying glanced at Ling with a knowing smile. "You did good today, Ling. Orm's lucky to have you in her life."

Ling nodded, her thoughts lingering on Orm and the hope for a better tomorrow. "Thanks, Ying. I'm just glad we could be there for her."

The drive back was quiet, but Ling felt a sense of calm, knowing that Orm was in good hands and that their growing relationship was something worth nurturing through the ups and downs.