Ink & Intentions (Lingorm)

13. Doubts

Ling and Wisanu reached the theater just as the crowd outside thickened. Ling spotted Orm and Ying across the lobby almost immediately, Ying gesturing animatedly as Orm laughed, looking so at ease that it struck Ling with an unexpected pang. Maybe agreeing to this whole double date idea hadn't been a great idea. She quickly shook it off, focusing on Wisanu's easy conversation beside her. It was just a movie night, she reminded herself—a simple evening with friends.

Yet, as they all settled in, the energy around them felt anything but simple. Orm and Ying took seats near the middle of the row, with Ling and Wisanu beside them. Ling was hyper-aware of Orm's presence, of how close they were yet how utterly separated by the people and circumstances around them.

As the film started, Ling tried to focus, but her mind drifted. She could hear Ying's quiet laughter, could see Orm occasionally leaning in to whisper something to her. The sight sparked a confusing mix of feelings—feelings Ling couldn't quite name but that knotted tightly in her chest.

Wisanu leaned closer, murmuring, "It's funny, right?"
Ling jolted, feeling caught, and quickly nodded. "Yeah, totally."

He gave her a small smile, and Ling felt a pang of guilt. Wisanu was kind and thoughtful, and she genuinely enjoyed his company. He was everything she'd thought she wanted in someone... and yet, her heart seemed to pull elsewhere tonight. She told herself it was just a phase, something she'd work through.

Yet, as the movie wore on, that strange discomfort only grew. Ling tried to shake it off, focusing instead on the movie, the audience laughter, and the soft crunching of popcorn. But her gaze drifted toward Orm—toward the way she and Ying shared whispered jokes, the light that danced in Orm's eyes when she laughed, the comfortable way they leaned into each other. Ling swallowed hard, trying to ignore the way it made her feel.

As the credits finally rolled and the lights came up, everyone stretched and rose from their seats. Ying turned to Ling and Wisanu, her expression warm and open.

"That was fun! We should do this again sometime," she said, nudging Orm. "Don't you think?"

Orm nodded, glancing at Ling with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah, definitely."

Ling's heart twisted. She'd hoped for a moment alone with Orm, some chance to talk through the confusing swirl of feelings she'd been wrestling with lately. But Orm seemed distracted, engaged in conversation with Ying, and Ling felt herself retreat, unsure of where she fit into this dynamic.

Outside, the group split as they discussed what to do next. Ying suggested grabbing food, but Ling felt too caught up in her own thoughts to keep up with the idea.

Wisanu noticed her silence. "Hey," he said quietly. "You want to get some air?"

Ling nodded, grateful for the excuse. They stepped out of the noisy crowd, and Ling took a deep breath, feeling the cool night air settle her nerves.

"Everything okay?" Wisanu asked, concern flickering in his eyes. "You seemed... distracted."

Ling hesitated. "It's just been a long week. Classes, projects—it's a lot."

Wisanu nodded, looking relieved. "I get that. But hey, you can always talk to me, you know?"

Ling smiled, though her heart wasn't fully in it. She could tell he meant every word, and she felt a pang of guilt for not being able to meet his sincerity with the same enthusiasm. But it wasn't his fault, and she couldn't bring herself to explain the tangled mess of feelings she barely understood herself.

After a few moments, Ying and Orm joined them, still animated from the film. Ying, sensing the mood, linked her arm with Orm's and pulled her close with a grin.

"So," Ying said, her gaze flickering between Ling and Wisanu, "what's next? Are we calling it a night, or...?"

Orm glanced at Ling, her expression softening. "It's up to you, Ling. If you're tired, we can head back."

Ling hesitated, a bit of warmth spreading at Orm's attention, but before she could answer, Wisanu spoke up. "Actually, I should probably head out," he said, glancing at his phone. "Got an early morning tomorrow."

Ling nodded, sensing his disappointment, but Wisanu kept his expression neutral. "Thanks for coming, Ling. I had a good time."

As Wisanu walked away, Ling suddenly felt the weight of the night settling on her. A strange loneliness crept in, though she couldn't place why. She lingered on the sidewalk, not quite ready to leave but feeling oddly adrift.

"Hey," Orm said softly, coming up beside her. "You okay?"

Ling glanced at Orm, feeling her heart speed up. Orm's gaze was warm and steady, the playful glint replaced by something softer. But before she could answer, Ying came up beside Orm with a bright smile.

"So, are we grabbing food or what?" Ying asked, glancing between them.

Orm's gaze lingered on Ling, as though waiting for her response. Ling felt an unexpected flare of jealousy—an irrational, confusing feeling that left her uncertain and a little ashamed. She had no claim over Orm, no reason to feel like this, yet she couldn't ignore the sharp pang of disappointment.

"I think I'll head back, actually," Ling said, hoping her voice sounded steadier than she felt.

Ying gave her a sympathetic look. "Aw, you sure? Well, next time then."

Orm watched Ling closely, her brow furrowing slightly, as if she could sense the unspoken tension lingering between them. "I'll walk you back, if you want."

Ling wanted to say yes, but something stopped her. She didn't know how to explain the emotions clouding her thoughts, the strange pull she felt between them. Instead, she managed a small smile. "Thanks, Orm, but I'll be fine."

For a moment, Orm hesitated, looking as though she wanted to say something more, but Ying pulled her along with a bright laugh. Ling watched them go, a strange emptiness settling in her chest as they disappeared around the corner.

That night, Ling lay awake, staring at the ceiling, her mind swirling with unspoken words and tangled emotions. She thought of the way Orm had looked at her tonight, the warmth in her gaze, the moments when they seemed so close—and yet, somehow, always just out of reach. It was as if they were caught in a delicate balance, neither willing to push forward, both unsure of what lay beyond.

As she drifted off to sleep, Ling couldn't shake the feeling that things were changing, that her friendship with Orm was shifting in ways she couldn't control. And as much as she tried to ignore it, to bury it beneath her usual confidence, a part of her wondered if maybe, just maybe, her heart had started down a path that would be impossible to turn back from.