To Love Again | LingOrm AU

Chapter 6: Glimmers of Hope

The sun was dipping low on the horizon as Orm began her closing routine. The day had been a whirlwind of activity - a steady stream of customers, interspersed with focused sessions of krathong-making.

Her mother, Koy, had just left for Mrs. Pranee's house, planning to catch up with her old friend before heading home for the night. Knowing Mrs. Pranee, Koy would likely return home with an earful of gossip and a bag full of homemade snacks.

Orm felt the weight of the day in her bones as she moved about the shop, straightening displays and counting the till. She was grateful for her mother's help, both with the customers and the festival preparations.

Koy had also made sure they didn't skip meals, providing a delicious lunch and various snacks throughout the day. It was a welcome change from Orm's usual habit of working through mealtimes, especially when faced with large or urgent orders. Too often, she'd find herself feeling lightheaded before realizing she hadn't eaten all day.

As she wiped down the counter, Orm couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. Throughout the day, she had found herself glancing up at every chime of the bell above the door, half-expecting to see Ling walk in. But as the sky outside turned from blue to shades of pink and orange, there had been no sign of the woman who had so unexpectedly brightened her morning.

Orm chided herself, after all, Ling hadn't made any promises about when she'd return. Still, the memory of their interaction lingered, a bright spot in an otherwise routine day.

Despite the fatigue tugging at her muscles, her mind is already racing with the tasks still ahead. With a determined set to her jaw, she began to carry boxes filled with supplies out of the shop. The scent of fresh flowers and damp earth clung to the air as she stepped outside, a gentle reminder of the day's work.

After a final, almost wistful glance around her beloved shop, Orm flipped the sign to 'Closed' and dimmed the lights. The familiar click of the lock echoed in the quiet street as she secured the door, her movements slow but purposeful. Just as she bent to pick up one of the boxes, the sound of hurried footsteps broke the evening quiet, sending a jolt of surprise through her.

"Orm! Wait!"

The familiar voice sent a flutter through Orm's chest, a mixture of relief and excitement washing over her. She straightened up, turning towards the sound, to see Ling jogging towards her. The setting sun caught in Ling's hair, giving her an almost ethereal glow as she approached, slightly out of breath.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't come earlier," Ling called out, her voice tinged with a mix of worry and relief. As she drew closer, Orm could see the genuine regret in her eyes. "I had to take care of some business and it took most of my time today. I was afraid I'd missed you entirely."

Orm felt a warm smile spreading across her face, her earlier disappointment melting away like morning dew under the sun. It seemed the day wasn't quite over after all, and the realization brought with it a surge of renewed energy.

"It's okay, Ling, really," Orm assured her, her voice soft and sincere. She gestured to the box in her arms, then to the one still on the ground. Hesitantly, she added, "If you're still up for it, I'm bringing these upstairs." The invitation hung in the air between them, brimming with silent expectations.

Ling fell quiet for a moment, her expression thoughtful. Orm could almost see the wheels turning in her mind, weighing the implications of the invitation. Although the offer was nothing but friendly on the surface, the offer harbored the seeds of a more intimate bond, a possibility that sent equal waves of anticipation and apprehension through them both.

As Ling's eyes met Orm's, she saw a universe of hope and warmth in their depths. It was this, more than anything, that made her decision for her. With a small nod and a shy smile, Ling bent down to pick up the other box. But when she lifted the box, a sharp pain shot through her. Ling couldn't entirely suppress a wince, and a soft hiss of pain escaped her lips before she could catch it. She quickly tried to school her features, but not before Orm caught the fleeting expression of discomfort.