After the Fall

Chapter 13: The Fight for Love

The weight of Gaps' party hung over Ling like a heavy, suffocating blanket. Sitting alone in her apartment, she replayed the hurt in Orm's eyes over and over again. She had destroyed everything they had built, and it was all her fault. She had let her pride and foolishness ruin the one thing she truly cared about—Orm.

Ling knew she had to make things right, but she had no idea how to begin. Her phone lay next to her on the couch, staring back at her as if mocking her indecision. She wanted to reach out to Orm, to explain, to beg for forgiveness, but after what happened, would Orm even listen?

Taking a deep breath, she decided to try. She typed out a message with trembling hands:

"Orm, can we meet? I need to explain myself. Please."

Ling pressed send and waited, her heart pounding in her chest. Minutes dragged on like hours, each second amplifying the knot in her stomach. Then, her phone buzzed. She picked it up, her hands shaking as she read the response.

"Meet me at the café in an hour."

Her heart raced. Orm had agreed. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

Ling quickly changed into something simple yet elegant and hurried to the café where they had shared so many moments together. Memories of their laughter, their late-night talks, and the soft way Orm would smile at her flooded Ling's mind as she arrived.

The café was quiet, the atmosphere intimate and warm. Ling chose a corner table, her thoughts racing. She couldn't mess this up. She wouldn't.

A few minutes later, Orm walked in, looking as beautiful as ever despite the sadness in her eyes. Ling stood up as Orm approached the table, and for a moment, they simply stared at each other. The weight of everything unsaid hung in the air between them.

"Thank you for coming," Ling said softly, her voice filled with emotion.

Orm nodded, her expression guarded. "I want to hear what you have to say, but I'm not here for excuses, Ling."

Ling swallowed hard, her chest tightening. "I understand. I don't want to make excuses. I just want you to know how deeply sorry I am."

They both sat down, the tension palpable as Orm waited for Ling to speak. Ling fidgeted with her hands, her nerves getting the best of her. She reached into her bag and pulled out the letter she had written earlier, her heart pounding in her chest as she handed it to Orm.

"I wrote this for you," Ling said, her voice shaky. "I couldn't find the right words in person, so I poured my heart into this letter. Please read it."

Orm hesitated, her eyes flicking between Ling and the letter in her hands. After a moment, she unfolded the paper and began to read. Ling watched her face, trying to read her emotions as Orm's eyes scanned the words she had so carefully chosen.

Each second felt like an eternity as Orm read, her expression softening slightly as she reached the end. She lowered the letter slowly, her eyes filled with a mix of hurt and uncertainty.

"Ling," Orm began, her voice quiet but firm, "this letter... it's beautiful. But you have to understand how much you hurt me. I trusted you, and you shattered that trust."

Ling felt a lump form in her throat. "I know I did, and I hate myself for it. I was so stupid, Orm. I let my pride and my friends get in the way of what really mattered—you. I didn't mean anything I said that night. I love you. I've loved you this whole time."

Orm's eyes narrowed slightly, as if weighing Ling's words. "If that's true, why did you play along with that bet? Why would you let them treat me like a joke?"

Ling shook her head, her eyes filling with regret. "It was a mistake. I was trying to impress them, to act tough like I didn't care. But the truth is, I do care. I care about you more than anything, Orm. I'm so sorry for hurting you. Please, give me a chance to make it right."

Orm sighed, her fingers brushing over the edge of the letter. "I don't know if I can just forgive you, Ling. It's not that simple."

Ling's heart sank, but she knew Orm was right. Trust wasn't something that could be repaired overnight. She had broken it, and now she had to earn it back.

"I'll do whatever it takes," Ling said earnestly, her voice thick with emotion. "I know I messed up, but I'm willing to fight for you. I don't care about the bet or what anyone else thinks. I love you, Orm. Please, don't walk away from us."

Orm looked down at the letter again, her expression conflicted. She was quiet for a long moment, her thoughts clearly swirling in her mind. Finally, she spoke, her voice soft but steady.

"I need time, Ling," she said, her eyes meeting Ling's with a raw vulnerability. "I can't just pretend this never happened. But I'm not saying I'm done with you either. I just need time to think."

Ling's heart lifted slightly at Orm's words. It wasn't a full reconciliation, but it was something—a glimmer of hope in the darkness. She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I understand. I'll give you all the time you need. But just know, I won't stop trying to prove to you how much you mean to me."

Orm stood up, her gaze lingering on Ling for a moment longer before she tucked the letter into her bag. "I appreciate your honesty. We'll see where things go from here."

Ling watched as Orm turned to leave, her heart aching with both relief and sadness. She knew the road ahead would be difficult, but she was willing to walk it for Orm, no matter how long it took.

As Orm disappeared from view, Ling sat back in her chair, feeling a mixture of hope and regret. She had taken the first step, and now, all she could do was wait and continue to fight for the woman she loved.