Résonance: a LingOrm's Story

Chapter 21: Chumpon Day 2

The morning in Chumphon began slowly, as it always did in this sleepy town. The air was cool and crisp, with the faint scent of wet earth lingering from the early morning mist. Birds chirped lazily in the trees, and somewhere in the distance, a rooster announced the start of the day. Ling lay awake, the unfamiliar quiet of the countryside surrounding her. It was a stark contrast to the bustling streets of Bangkok, and though peaceful, it took her a moment to adjust.

She quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Orm, who was still soundly asleep. Ling stood by the small window of the room, taking in the view of the vast greenery that stretched beyond the house. The simplicity of Chumphon's landscape was calming, a refreshing break from her usual routine. After a while, she stepped outside, where the faint clinking of kitchenware caught her attention.

Orm's mother was already up, standing by a small outdoor stove, preparing breakfast with practiced ease. The sight made Ling smile. She could see where Orm got her warmth and energy from. Ling approached slowly, her presence gentle and respectful.

"Good morning, Auntie," Ling greeted with a soft smile.

Orm's mother looked up, her face brightening with a welcoming expression. "Oh, good morning, Ling. You're awake early! Did you sleep well?"

"I did, thank you," Ling replied, stepping closer. "The air here is so fresh, I'm not used to it yet. Can I help you with breakfast?"

Orm's mother hesitated for a moment but then nodded, a smile tugging at her lips. "You're too kind, Ling. Sure, why don't you help me set the table?"

As Ling busied herself with arranging the dishes, Orm's mother glanced over at her, her curiosity evident. After a few moments of silence, she asked, "So, Ling, how did you and my daughter meet?"

Ling smiled softly at the memory. "We met at the café where Orm works. I used to go there often before work, and she was always so cheerful and lively. We started talking more and more, and before I knew it, I became a regular there. Orm has a way of making people feel comfortable."

Orm's mother listened thoughtfully, nodding as she turned the food on the stove. "That sounds like Orm. She's always been so energetic, even when things were tough for us. She has a way of making everyone around her feel better."

Ling nodded, a soft admiration in her eyes. "She really does."

Orm's mother continued, her voice gentle but probing. "You know, Orm doesn't talk much about her personal life to us, especially about her friends. It's nice to see that she's found someone who cares about her. You've been very kind to her."

Ling smiled modestly, her hands pausing as she placed the final dish on the table. "Orm is special to me, Auntie. I just want to be there for her, however I can."

Orm's mother observed Ling for a moment longer, as if weighing her words carefully. Then, with a knowing smile, she said, "You're good for her, Ling. I can tell."

---

A while later, Orm finally shuffled out of her room, her eyes barely open and her hair sticking out in every direction. She yawned loudly as she made her way to the kitchen, still half-asleep. Ling was already standing by, holding a cup of coffee just the way Orm liked it.

"Morning, princess," Ling teased, placing the cup in front of her with a soft smile.

Orm blinked a few times, taking in the sight of Ling already up and about, and gave her a sleepy smile. "P'Ling... you're spoiling me again."

"Someone has to," Ling replied, brushing Orm's messy hair aside with a gentle hand. It was such a natural gesture, but one that didn't go unnoticed by Orm's mother, who stood quietly in the background, watching the two of them closely.

Orm's mother continued to observe, her gaze lingering on the way Ling took care of her daughter. She couldn't deny the tenderness in Ling's actions—there was something more between these two women, something deeper than just friendship.

Breakfast was a warm, lively affair, with Orm's younger brother joining them at the table. Orm's father, with his usual good humor, kept the conversation flowing, and the family atmosphere was so full of love and comfort that Ling felt entirely at ease. Though she was technically a guest, Orm's family made her feel like she was part of something much bigger. It was something Ling hadn't realized she had missed until now.

---

After breakfast, Orm decided to show Ling around her hometown, eager to share some of her favorite places with her. The air was fresh, the sky a pale blue, and the trees swayed lazily in the gentle breeze. It was a perfect day for exploring, and Ling was happy to see more of Orm's world.

As they walked down the narrow streets, Orm chattered on about the memories she had in various parts of the town. Eventually, they made their way toward her family's store, which wasn't far from the house. As they approached, Orm's parents were already busy with customers, managing the small store that had become their lifeline after the collapse of her father's business.

"Careful, Orm," Ling warned with a smile as she noticed how quickly Orm was moving. But just as the words left her mouth, Orm tripped on an uneven piece of pavement.

Without thinking, Ling lunged forward, catching Orm just in time. But the momentum carried them both to the ground in a tangle of limbs. The fall was sudden, and for a brief moment, everything was still.

Orm's parents, having seen the commotion from the store, ran toward them, their faces full of concern. "Orm! Ling! Are you both okay?"

Ling quickly tried to gather herself, her hands immediately reaching for Orm. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" she asked, panic evident in her voice as she checked Orm for injuries.

Orm looked dazed for a moment but shook her head. "I think I'm fine, just a little scrape."

But Ling's panic only deepened when she saw blood. "You're bleeding!" she exclaimed, her voice full of worry.

Orm glanced down at the small scrape on her knee, about to assure Ling that it wasn't a big deal, but then she noticed something else—Ling was bleeding too. And much more than she was.

"P'Ling... you're bleeding," Orm whispered, her voice trembling as she saw the deep cut on Ling's arm. Blood was soaking into Ling's clothes, and it was clear the wound was more serious than she had realized.

Orm's parents rushed over, and Orm's mother gasped when she saw the blood staining Ling's sleeve. "Oh no! Ling, you're hurt!"

Ling, still in a state of panic over Orm's small injury, barely noticed her own pain. "I'm fine, it's just a scratch. But Orm—she's—"

"I'm fine," Orm interrupted, her voice firm despite her shaking hands. "P'Ling, you're the one who's hurt."

Ling looked down at her arm, her face paling as she realized the extent of the injury. Blood had already soaked through her sleeve, and the cut was deep. Suddenly, the adrenaline that had been keeping her upright began to wear off, and a wave of dizziness hit her.

Orm's mother quickly stepped in, guiding them both inside the store where they could clean the wounds. Orm, now more terrified for Ling than for herself, grabbed Ling's uninjured hand tightly. "P'Ling, I'm so sorry..."

Ling, still a little out of breath, managed a small smile despite the pain. "Don't be. I'll be okay."

But Orm's worry didn't fade...