To Love Again | LingOrm AU

Chapter 14B: She's My Beating Heart

The days following Orm's hospitalization unfolded in a blur of visitors, gifts, and tender moments. The white walls of her hospital room gradually transformed into a vibrant show of love and support, each visitor adding their own touch of color to Orm's recovery.

Family relatives, having just learned of the incident, streamed in with worried faces that quickly melted into relief upon seeing Orm's improving condition. With each new visitor, Orm found herself introducing Ling to aunts, uncles, and cousins alike. To her pleasant surprise, each family member welcomed Ling with warm affection, their embraces and smiles genuine and heartfelt.

"This is Ling," Orm would say, a soft smile playing on her lips as she watched her family interact with the woman who had become so important to her.

What struck Orm most was the lack of probing questions about who this "new friend" was. Under normal circumstances, Orm was pretty sure Ling would have been put under the microscope, subjected to a barrage of well-meaning but potentially uncomfortable inquiries. But not now, and not in a bad way even if they did ask.

Orm's family had always been open-minded and accepting of unconventional relationships. Still, their easy acceptance of Ling's presence, the way they seamlessly included her in conversations and family jokes, touched Orm deeply.

As she watched her Aunt Meena regaling Ling with embarrassing stories from Orm's childhood, or her cousin Tom asking Ling about her own family and background with genuine interest, Orm felt a warmth bloom in her chest that had nothing to do with her physical recovery.

The conversation took an unexpected turn when Ling casually mentioned her time in the Royal Thai Army Special Forces. Tom's jaw dropped comically, his eyes widening in awe. As he and his wife were about to leave, Tom couldn't resist teasing Orm.

Leaning in, he whispered loudly enough for Orm to hear, "A badass girlfriend from Special Forces? Nice catch, Nong Orm!"

Orm responded with a playful punch to his arm, her cheeks flushed but her eyes sparkling with amusement.

As the parade of relatives continued, Orm found herself filled with gratitude. Not just for her family's acceptance, but for the twist of fate that had brought Ling into her life. Even in the midst of recovery from a traumatic event, she felt incredibly lucky.

Each introduction, each warm interaction between Ling and her family members, felt like another thread weaving Ling more tightly into the fabric of Orm's life. And as she watched Ling laugh at her uncle's terrible puns or listen intently to her grandmother's stories, Orm knew that whatever label they eventually put on their relationship, Ling had already become family.

Neighbors, too, made their presence felt, bringing with them the warmth of community that Orm had cultivated over the years. Mr. Niran, the local baker, sent freshly baked pastries every day, asking Mrs. Pranee to deliver them on his behalf. "He always sends extra," Mrs. Pranee would explain with a smile, "insisting some are for the nurses." This daily gesture of kindness extended beyond Orm, encompassing the hospital staff who cared for her, further illustrating the ripple effect of the community's love and support.

Gina, ever the loyal friend, had taken it upon herself to manage the flower shop in Orm's absence. Each evening, without fail, she would arrive with a fresh bouquet, filling the room with a riot of colors and fragrances that seemed to breathe life into the sterile environment.

"You can't keep a florist away from flowers, even in a hospital," Gina would joke, arranging the blooms with practiced ease.

The parade of well-wishers brought more than just flowers. Snacks that Orm loved found their way to her bedside table - traditional Thai sweets and fresh fruits. Stuffed animals began to accumulate, much to Orm's embarrassment and secret delight.