Résonance: a LingOrm's Story

Chapter 35: a Swiss Escape

Switzerland was everything Orm had dreamed of—and more. The moment their plane touched down in Zurich, she felt a flutter of excitement in her chest. It was mid-December, and the landscape was blanketed in soft, glistening snow. For Orm, a girl who had spent her life under the warm, humid skies of Thailand, seeing snow for the first time was nothing short of magical. She pressed her face against the window of the airport shuttle, eyes wide with wonder as they drove through the city, the alpine peaks looming in the distance, snowflakes softly drifting down.

Next to her, Ling Ling watched with a soft smile, knowing this trip was special for Orm. It was more than just a vacation; it was a shared dream come true, a moment in their lives they would always look back on.

"Is it real?" Orm whispered, her breath fogging up the window. "Are we really here?"

Ling chuckled, reaching over to brush a stray lock of hair behind Orm's ear. "Yes, sweetheart. We're really here."

Orm turned to her, eyes bright with excitement. "I never thought I'd see snow! It's even more beautiful than I imagined."

Ling's heart swelled at the sight of Orm's joy. She leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, her voice soft. "Just wait until we go hiking tomorrow. The mountains will blow you away."

The trip had been meticulously planned by Ling, who had spared no expense in making sure everything was perfect. She had reserved business class seats for them on the flight, ensuring they traveled in comfort. Orm, however, had been resistant to this level of luxury.

"P'Ling, I'm not a child anymore," Orm had argued before the trip. "I'm earning a good salary now. I can contribute! Why don't we split the costs?"

Ling, ever composed, had smiled but stood firm. "Orm, this trip is my gift to you. I want you to relax and enjoy it."

"But—"

"No buts," Ling had said, gently but firmly. "I know you want to contribute, but this is important to me. Let me take care of you this time."

The conversation had ended there, but Orm hadn't been completely satisfied. Now, sitting next to Ling on the plush seats of their flight, she couldn't help but appreciate the comfort of the trip. Still, a small part of her felt guilty for not being able to chip in more.

Their first few days in Switzerland were filled with exploration and adventure. Zurich welcomed them with its charming streets, Christmas markets, and the smell of roasting chestnuts in the air. The city buzzed with holiday cheer, but it was the snowy mountains and vast fields that captivated Orm the most.

They spent one morning hiking through the snowy trails of the Swiss Alps, the crisp mountain air filling their lungs as they trudged through the snow. Orm, bundled in layers of winter gear, marveled at the vast, snow-covered peaks surrounding them. She paused frequently to take photos, her breath visible in the cold air as she laughed at how clumsy she was in her snow boots.

"P'Ling, look at this view!" Orm shouted, her voice echoing off the mountains.

Ling, walking steadily beside her, smiled and took her hand. "It's beautiful," she said softly, though her gaze wasn't on the mountains—it was on Orm. "But not as beautiful as you."

Orm blushed, her cheeks already pink from the cold. "You're so cheesy," she teased, but her eyes sparkled with affection.

They reached a clearing in the mountains where the view stretched out endlessly. Orm couldn't help herself; she twirled in the snow, laughing, her arms spread wide as if to embrace the entire world. Ling watched her with quiet admiration, feeling a deep sense of contentment settle in her chest. This—these moments—were what she had wanted to give Orm.

After the hike, they visited a local farm where they tried various Swiss cheeses, the rich flavors melting in their mouths. Orm had never tasted anything like it, and she delighted in the unique flavors, her face lighting up with each new bite.

"P'Ling, this one is amazing," Orm said, holding out a piece of cheese for Ling to try. "You have to taste it."

Ling smiled and leaned in, taking the offered piece. "It's good," she agreed, though she was far more focused on the way Orm's eyes sparkled with happiness.

In the evenings, they would return to their cozy chalet, the fireplace crackling as they snuggled up under thick blankets. Outside, the snow would continue to fall softly, covering the world in a peaceful silence. Inside, the warmth of the fire and their shared laughter filled the space, creating an intimate cocoon of comfort and love.

Their nights in Switzerland were even more magical than the days. With no distractions, no work pressures, and no one around, it was just the two of them. They made love slowly, intimately, savoring every touch and kiss as if trying to imprint the memory of each moment onto their skin. The crackling fire cast a soft, flickering light over the room, creating shadows that danced on the walls as they explored each other, their bodies moving in perfect harmony.

Ling was attentive as always, her hands and lips gentle, but tonight there was something deeper, something more vulnerable in the way she touched Orm. Perhaps it was the knowledge that these moments were fleeting—that once they returned to Thailand, they would have to face the reality of their busy lives again. But here, in this secluded chalet in the mountains, time seemed to slow down. They had each other, and that was all that mattered.

Orm, for her part, gave in completely to Ling's touch. She shivered as Ling's fingers trailed down her back, her breath hitching as soft kisses were pressed to her neck. The warmth of the fire was nothing compared to the heat between them, and as the night wore on, they melted into each other, the world outside fading away until there was nothing but their shared desire.

Later, as they lay tangled in each other's arms, the fire slowly dying in the hearth, Orm whispered, "I wish we could stay here forever."

Ling tightened her arms around her. "Me too," she murmured, pressing a kiss to Orm's forehead. "But no matter where we are, as long as we're together, it'll be enough."

Their time in Switzerland passed too quickly, as all perfect moments do. On their last day, they took one final walk through the snowy fields near their chalet, the snow crunching beneath their boots as they held hands. Orm was quiet, her usual chatter replaced with a contemplative silence. Ling glanced over at her, sensing the shift in her mood.

"What's on your mind?" Ling asked softly.

Orm looked up at her, her eyes filled with a mix of happiness and sadness. "I just don't want this to end," she admitted. "This trip has been... perfect. It feels like we've escaped from everything."

Ling squeezed her hand gently. "I know. But we'll always have this memory, Orm. And we'll have more adventures in the future."

Orm smiled, her heart feeling a little lighter. "You're right. And... thank you, P'Ling. For everything. This trip has been the best gift I've ever received."

Ling leaned in and kissed her softly, the cold air around them doing nothing to dampen the warmth of the moment. "You don't have to thank me. Just seeing you this happy is all I ever wanted."

That night, before they packed their bags and prepared to return to Thailand, they shared one last intimate moment by the fire. It was a quiet, slow-burning kind of love, the kind that didn't need words. Their bodies moved together in a familiar dance, the weight of reality still distant. But as they held each other afterward, the glow of the fire reflecting in their eyes, they both knew that no matter what challenges awaited them back home, they would face them together.

And that was all that mattered.