Résonance: a LingOrm's Story

Chapter 11: Thunder Clouds

After weeks of intense work and travel, Ling was finally back in Thailand. The moment she stepped off the plane, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. Being back home meant returning to her routine, her business, and, most importantly, Orm. The long trip, which had taken her across Asia and ended in Hong Kong with her family, had been fulfilling professionally, but emotionally, she had missed Orm more than she had anticipated.

During her time away, their conversations had been brief but consistent. Orm would message her during her breaks at work or between classes, and Ling would respond whenever she had a free moment. It wasn't enough, though. Ling had grown attached to seeing Orm in person, hearing her voice, and sharing the small, quiet moments that had come to mean so much. As soon as she landed, Ling had made up her mind: she was going to surprise Orm.

Ling drove straight from the airport to Orm's dorm. She could barely contain her excitement at the thought of seeing the girl who had been occupying her thoughts more and more recently. She hadn't told Orm she was back yet, wanting the reunion to be a surprise. In her mind, she pictured Orm's reaction — maybe a bit of shock, then a wide, happy smile as they embraced. The thought warmed her heart.

As she neared Orm's dorm, Ling felt a flutter of nerves. She parked her car discreetly and waited a few moments, thinking about how best to approach the situation. But something caught her eye. From a distance, she saw a small group walking toward the dorm entrance. It was Orm, with Prig, Kim, and a few other friends. They were laughing and chatting, clearly enjoying each other's company. Ling's heart skipped a beat at the sight of Orm, her usual cheery self, looking relaxed and carefree.

She smiled, but then, as Prig and some of the friends broke off and headed toward the dorm ahead of the group, Ling noticed something else. Orm had stayed behind with Kim. Ling's smile faltered, her attention drawn to the two of them as they walked side by side.

Ling's fingers tightened on the steering wheel as she watched. Something about the way Kim looked at Orm unsettled her. And then, it happened.

Kim stopped walking, turning to face Orm with an expression Ling could only describe as intense. Ling couldn't hear what was being said from where she was, but she could see the shift in body language — the way Kim's posture straightened, the way he reached out, grabbing Orm's hand gently.

Ling's heart sank. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened as she leaned forward, trying to make sense of what was happening. The streetlight above them cast a soft glow over the pair, highlighting the moment in a way that made it feel even more intimate.

Orm stood there, wide-eyed, clearly caught off guard. But then, to Ling's horror, Kim stepped closer, his hand lingering near Orm's, his eyes locked on hers. It wasn't just friendly — it was a confession. Ling didn't need to hear the words to understand what was happening. She had seen that look before, in other people, in other moments.

Kim was confessing his feelings to Orm.

Ling's heart pounded in her chest, the sound almost deafening in her ears. She watched as Orm froze, visibly shocked by the confession. But the worst part was what happened next. Orm didn't pull away. She didn't immediately reject him. Instead, she stood there, unsure, caught in the moment. It was as if time slowed down, and for Ling, it felt like everything she had imagined — her surprise visit, the warm reunion, the happiness of seeing Orm again — was crumbling before her eyes.

From Ling's vantage point, it looked romantic, too close, too intimate. It was everything she feared and everything she hadn't anticipated all at once.

Without thinking, Ling started the car engine. The sudden roar startled her, but she didn't care. She had seen enough. Her chest ached with jealousy, with a bitter disappointment that she couldn't shake. She gripped the wheel tightly, her knuckles white as she pressed down on the gas, driving away from the dorm faster than she had intended.

Her mind raced as her car sped down the street. What had she just witnessed? Had Orm been entertaining Kim's feelings? The scene replayed in her mind over and over again — Kim's hand reaching out, Orm standing there, frozen but not pulling away. Ling couldn't understand it. They had been building something, hadn't they? She had felt a connection with Orm that was more than just friendship. But now, seeing Kim in that moment with her, Ling's doubts began to creep in.

"Was I wrong?" Ling muttered to herself, feeling her chest tighten with emotion. She couldn't shake the image of Orm and Kim standing there, so close, in what felt like a romantic moment. And she hated how much it affected her, how much it hurt.

As Ling sped away from the dorm, Prig, who had just reached the entrance, caught sight of the car. She recognized it immediately. P'Ling? Why was she here, and why was she driving away so fast? Prig frowned, confused. She glanced back toward where Orm and Kim had been, and a feeling of unease settled in her stomach.

Back at the dorm, Orm was still standing in shock. Kim had just confessed his feelings for her, and she didn't know how to react. It wasn't something she had expected, and it certainly wasn't something she had seen coming. Kim was a good friend — nothing more. But his sudden confession left her speechless, and she had no idea how to respond.

"I... I don't know what to say, Kim," Orm stammered, her mind racing. She hadn't even thought of him in that way before, and now, here he was, putting everything out in the open.

Kim gave her a small, nervous smile, trying to lighten the mood. "It's okay, Orm. You don't have to say anything right now. I just wanted you to know how I feel."

Orm nodded slowly, still processing everything. She felt overwhelmed, like the ground beneath her feet had shifted. "I just... I need some time to think about it."

"Of course," Kim said softly, taking a step back to give her some space. "I didn't mean to overwhelm you. I'll let you go now."

As Kim walked away, Orm stood there, feeling a mixture of confusion and guilt. She hadn't meant for any of this to happen, and now, she was left with a weight in her chest. What made her feel even worse was the thought of Ling.

Why was Ling the first person she thought of in this moment?

Orm shook her head, feeling lost. She had no idea what to do next, but she knew one thing for sure: she needed to talk to Ling.