Short Stories-Lingorm

Unknown Symphony

Lingling Kwong stood at the entrance of the grand gala, her sleek black gown flowing like a river of midnight. The room shimmered with opulence, chandeliers casting a golden hue over the elegantly dressed crowd. Ling, known for her grace and poise, was invited to the event to honor her work with underprivileged communities. But tonight, as she scanned the crowd, she felt a pang of loneliness. She had spent the last few months caring for her family, leaving little time for herself.

As she moved through the sea of guests, a burst of laughter drew her attention. Across the room, Orm stood surrounded by friends, her easy smile lighting up the space. Ling couldn't help but notice her—the woman was striking, dressed in an emerald gown that hugged her form, radiating confidence and warmth. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, and something electric passed between them. Intrigued, Ling made her way toward her.

"Mind if I join you?" Ling asked, her voice steady but with an undercurrent of curiosity.

Orm looked up, her smile widening. "Of course, anyone brave enough to break into my circle is welcome."

They laughed, their conversation flowing as if they'd known each other for years. As the night unfolded, they found themselves drifting away from the crowd, sitting on a quiet balcony. The world outside seemed to fade as they shared stories of their lives, their passions, their dreams.

By the end of the evening, there was no denying the connection between them. They exchanged numbers, and what started as late-night messages soon evolved into intimate dinners and stolen weekends away from the world.

But as their relationship deepened, something began to shift. Ling's family demands grew more pressing, and she was often away for days, helping her siblings or attending to family matters. Though she assured Orm that their love was important, it became clear that her time was split between too many commitments. Orm began to feel like an afterthought.

At first, Orm tried to push the feeling aside, reminding herself that Ling was only doing what was necessary. But every missed date, every unanswered message chipped away at her heart. The more she tried to be understanding, the more the weight of being Ling’s last choice settled over her.

One evening, after weeks of growing tension, Orm sat in their shared apartment, staring out the window as rain drummed softly against the glass. Ling was late again, and Orm could feel the familiar ache in her chest. But this time, it wasn’t just Ling’s absence that troubled her—it was the persistent memory of someone else. Her ex, Ying.

Orm had loved Ying deeply, but their relationship had been tumultuous, ending in heartbreak. Yet, in her moments of loneliness, Ying would slip into her thoughts. And now, with Ling’s absence becoming more frequent, Orm couldn't shake the nagging question—had she moved on too quickly? Was she with Ling because it was safe, because it was easy? Or was she truly in love?

When Ling finally arrived, drenched from the rain and apologizing for the delay, Orm felt a surge of frustration. She had been understanding for too long, but she couldn’t stay silent anymore.

“Ling, we need to talk,” Orm began, her voice steady but edged with pain.

Ling looked at her, concern flickering in her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

Orm took a deep breath, her heart pounding. “I feel like I’m not a priority in your life. Every time you choose your family over me, it feels like I’m not important enough to you. And lately... I’ve been thinking about Ying.”

Ling’s face fell, a mix of shock and hurt crossing her features. “You’re thinking about your ex? Orm, I thought we were building something real.”

“We are... we were,” Orm said softly, her voice trembling. “But I don’t know if I can keep pretending like I’m okay with being your last choice. And maybe part of me hasn’t fully let go of Ying because I haven’t felt secure with you.”

Silence hung between them, heavy and suffocating. Ling struggled to find the right words, the reality of Orm’s feelings sinking in. She had been so focused on balancing everything that she hadn’t realized how much she was neglecting the person she loved most.

“Orm, I’m so sorry,” Ling finally said, her voice breaking. “I never meant to make you feel that way. I thought I could manage everything, but I see now that I’ve been unfair to you.”

Orm looked at her, tears brimming in her eyes. “I don’t want to be second in your life, Ling. I love you, but I can’t keep feeling like I’m not enough for you.”

Ling reached for Orm’s hand, but Orm pulled away, her heart heavy with the weight of uncertainty.

“Maybe we need some time apart,” Orm whispered. “For me to figure out if I can really move on from Ying... and for you to decide if you can give me the love I need.”

The words hung in the air, both of them realizing that this might be the end of something beautiful—or the beginning of something stronger, if they could find their way back to each other.