i've got my eyes on you

II

As they pulled away from the curb, Lingling glanced over at Orm, who was humming along to a song playing softly on the radio.

The road stretched ahead like a ribbon weaving through emerald landscapes, far from the urban sprawl of Bangkok. The early morning sun cast a warm glow over the fields, and a gentle breeze rustled through the open windows.

Lingling kept her eyes on the road, but she was acutely aware of Orm beside her—the way she tapped her fingers lightly against her thigh in time with the music, the soft scent of cardamom from Orm's favorite perfume, Santal 33, filling the car.

The silence between Lingling and Orm felt different now - good different as in they don't feel the need to fill the silence with words. Just enjoying each other presence.

They had been driving for a little over thirty minutes when N'Orm leaned forward, breaking the silence.

"Let me do something useful," N'Orm said, her voice lighter than the tension Lingling had been feeling. "I'll navigate, pick some songs. It's a long drive, after all."

Ling nodded, still focused on the road, but her lips curled into that same almost imperceptible smile. N'Orm reached for her phone, tapping at the screen. After a few moments, she frowned.

"Your Bluetooth's not working," she muttered, frustration coloring her tone as she fiddled with the settings.

Ling glanced over briefly. "Here, use my phone," she said, unlocking it and handing it over.

N'Orm accepted the phone but raised an eyebrow as she looked at the interface. "Why is everything in Chinese?"

Ling let out a soft, breathy laugh. "It's my phone," she explained, amusement in her tone. "Of course it's in Chinese."

"Of course it is," N'Orm repeated with a grin, shaking her head as she began navigating through the phone. "But you're gonna have to trust me with this. I need to change the settings or we're going to have total silence the entire trip."

Ling hesitated, feeling a slight flutter of something close to anxiety, watching as N'Orm navigated to Spotify, her gaze caught on something—one of Ling's most frequently played private playlists, its title in Chinese. N'Orm didn't understand the characters, but there was something about it that made her pause.

The silence stretched as N'Orm's eyes flickered back to Lingling, surprise softening her features. "P'Lingling," she started slowly, her voice tinged with curiosity. "I didn't know you liked these songs."

Ling's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't meant for anyone to see that playlist, least of all N'Orm. She had been so careful about curating it, selecting songs that mirrored N'Orm's own preferences—tracks from N'Orm's IG stories, the ones Ling would listen to when she missed her. It was a small, silly comfort she'd created for herself. And now, N'Orm was staring right at it.

A faint flush of embarrassment crept up Ling's neck, but she quickly schooled her expression, keeping her voice calm. "Oh," she said casually, her tone light. "It's the algorithm. I've been growing to like the songs Spotify recommends."

Ling kept her gaze firmly on the road, but she could feel N'Orm's presence even more intensely now, the quiet lie lingering between them. It had been instinctive, a way to shield the truth she wasn't ready to share: that she had made the playlist deliberately, gathering songs N'Orm had mentioned or posted, creating a connection between them even when they weren't together.

N'Orm eyed her, the skepticism clear in her expression. "Uh-huh, the algorithm, sure." Her grin widened as she flicked to the playlist and hit play, her eyes catching the faint blush creeping up Ling's neck.

Ling 1: Orm 1.

-

The villa appeared at the end of the long, winding road, nestled between clusters of trees that made the world outside seem far away. Khun Dew had designed the place herself, crafting a small retreat with three villas, each nestled naturally into the landscape, the sound of the stream running through them constant and soothing. It was as if the world had paused here—timeless, peaceful.

As they pulled up, the air around them seemed to change, quieting as though the villa itself demanded stillness. Lingling felt the tension ease from her shoulders as she turned off the engine.

N'Orm opened her door and stepped out, stretching her arms above her head, breathing in the crisp, clean air. "Wow," she said softly, her voice nearly swallowed by the sound of the stream. "This place is... something else."

Ling stepped out beside her, taking in the view. The villa almost blended into the landscape, as though it had always been there, waiting for them. The walls were smooth, earthy, and the soft gurgle of the stream nearby seemed to invite them into its calm. Ling could feel the pull of the quiet, the gentle beckoning to leave behind the noise of the world, the relentless pace of their lives, and simply... exist.

"Sawadee, welcome to our little retreat," the gardener greeted them, a kind smile on his face as he approached. "Khun Dew told me you'd be arriving today."

N'Orm turned to Ling with a playful grin. "P'Ling, let me crash with you for a while. I don't want to be alone."

As they followed the gardener into the villa, Ling gestured toward the window that faced the stream. "You can hear the water from the room," she said, her voice quieter now, almost reverent. "It's peaceful, isn't it?"

N'Orm nodded, her eyes wide as she took in the villa's design. "It feels like we're in the middle of nowhere," she said with a soft laugh, but there was something thoughtful behind her words. Awe, maybe. Or wonder.

Inside, the villa was simple but elegant, the natural materials blending seamlessly with the greenery outside. The bathroom was detached, with an outdoor bathtub tucked behind a wall of vines, and the sound of the stream was even clearer from there.

N'Orm wandered through the villa, her curiosity leading her toward the bathhouse. "This place is insane," she called back to Ling, who stood by the door, watching her explore. "Outdoor baths? Are you sure Khun Dew didn't set this up for a movie?"

Ling laughed lightly, the corners of her mouth lifting. "It's supposed to help you relax," she said. "No distractions. Just nature."

N'Orm grinned, but just as she was about to suggest they tour the rest of the villa, a sudden yelp pierced the air.

"P'Ling!" N'Orm's voice was panicked, and Ling froze for a moment before rushing toward her.

"There's a snake!" N'Orm called out, pointing toward the bathroom with wide eyes.

Ling's heart raced, but she forced herself to stay calm as she approached the small stone path leading to the bathhouse. Sure enough, coiled up in the corner, a small green snake lay still, its sleek body gleaming in the soft light.

Ling swallowed down her own nerves, turning back to N'Orm. "It's harmless," she said, though she wasn't entirely sure. "Just stay back, I'll... I'll deal with it."

N'Orm, her hands clutching the edges of her sweater, took another step away, watching Ling nervously. Ling grabbed a long stick from the side of the path and gently nudged the snake toward the door. It slithered away lazily, as though unbothered by their presence, disappearing into the undergrowth.

Ling exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, turning back to N'Orm with a small, shaky smile. "See? No problem."

N'Orm let out a nervous laugh, still standing a few feet away. "I swear," she said, her voice lighter now, "you were a lot cooler than that just now."