Between Us || LINGORM

Chapter 23: Rainy Night Confessions

The rainy season in Bangkok was relentless. The heavy downpour painted the city in muted tones of gray, leaving the air thick with humidity and the streets shimmering with puddles. Orm loved the rain—it was a comforting backdrop to her late-night gaming marathons or quiet study sessions. But tonight, the rain felt oppressive, mirroring the turmoil in her heart.

After her conversation with Lingling, Orm had held onto hope. Lingling had promised to meet her halfway, but the days since their talk had been eerily quiet. Lingling hadn't reached out beyond the occasional polite message, and Orm found herself wondering if she had misread everything.

For Lingling, the past few days had been an emotional whirlwind. She had been honest with Orm about not wanting her to leave, but the weight of vulnerability still lingered. It wasn't that she didn't want to see Orm—it was the opposite. Every time she thought about Orm, her heart clenched with a mixture of fear and longing.

Lingling's colleagues had noticed her distraction. During their weekly band rehearsal, Milk had called her out for missing cues, while Faye had quietly taken over her leadership duties.

"You okay, Ling?" Milk asked as they packed up their instruments.

Lingling hesitated. "Just... a lot on my mind."

Milk raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess. Orm?"

Lingling's silence was answer enough.

Faye nudged her gently. "Ling, you're not doing yourself—or her—any favors by keeping your distance. If you want her in your life, you have to show her."

Lingling sighed, her fingers absentmindedly plucking at her guitar strings. "It's not that simple."

"Sure it is," Milk said. "You care about her. She cares about you. So why are you making it harder than it has to be?"

Lingling didn't reply. Instead, she stared out the window, watching the rain cascade down the glass. Milk and Faye exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of concern and exasperation.

That evening, Orm decided to clear her head with a walk. She pulled on a light jacket and grabbed an umbrella, stepping out into the rain. The city was quieter than usual, the sound of raindrops filling the air. She wandered aimlessly, her thoughts drifting to Lingling.

"Why does she have to be so hard to read?" Orm muttered to herself.

She stopped at a small coffee stand sheltered under a tarp, ordering a hot tea to warm her hands. As she sipped, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Lingling's name.

Lingling: Where are you?

Orm frowned, typing back a quick reply.

Orm: Just out for a walk. Why?

The reply was immediate.

Lingling: Can we talk?

Lingling stood by the entrance of her condo, the rain drenching the streets before her. She clutched her phone tightly, her nerves threatening to get the best of her. She wasn't sure what had compelled her to reach out, but the thought of Orm slipping further away had been too much to bear.

When Orm's message came through, Lingling grabbed her umbrella and stepped outside without hesitation.

They agreed to meet at a small park near campus, one of the few places where the city's noise softened into something resembling peace. By the time Lingling arrived, her umbrella was dripping with water, and her heart was pounding in her chest.

Orm was already there, standing under a tree with her umbrella tilted against the rain. When she saw Lingling approaching, her expression shifted from surprise to cautious curiosity.

"Hey," Orm said softly.

"Hi," Lingling replied, her voice barely audible over the rain.

For a moment, they stood in silence, the rain filling the space between them. Orm finally spoke. "You wanted to talk?"

Lingling nodded, her grip tightening on the handle of her umbrella. "I... I've been thinking a lot about what you said. About meeting you halfway."

Orm's heart sank slightly. Lingling's tone was serious, almost hesitant, and she braced herself for what might come next. "Okay..."

Lingling took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "I'm not good at this," she admitted. "Opening up, letting someone in... it's always been hard for me."

Orm nodded, staying silent to let Lingling continue.

"But I realized something," Lingling said, her voice trembling slightly. "When you started pulling away, it hurt more than I expected. I hated the distance. I hated feeling like I was losing you."

Orm's eyes softened, her grip on her umbrella loosening. "Ling..."

Lingling looked up, her gaze locking onto Orm's. "You mean more to me than I ever thought anyone could. And that terrifies me. But the thought of not having you in my life... that terrifies me even more."

Orm stared at her, the weight of Lingling's words sinking in. For a moment, she couldn't find the words to respond.

Lingling stepped closer, her voice steady despite the storm raging around them. "I'm scared, Orm. But I want to try. I want to figure this out with you."

Orm felt her throat tighten, a mix of relief and emotion washing over her. "You have no idea how much I've been waiting to hear that."

Lingling smiled faintly, the tension in her shoulders easing. "I'm sorry I made you wait."

Orm reached out, gently taking Lingling's free hand in hers. "You're worth the wait, Ling."

The rain continued to fall, soaking through their clothes, but neither of them seemed to care. Orm's thumb brushed over Lingling's knuckles, a small gesture of reassurance.

"I'm not going anywhere," Orm said firmly.

Lingling nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Neither am I."

In that moment, something shifted between them. The rain no longer felt cold, and the weight of uncertainty lifted from their shoulders.

Orm, her courage buoyed by Lingling's confession, took a step closer. "So... does this mean I can finally stop pretending I don't want to kiss you?"

Lingling's cheeks flushed, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, her eyes searching Orm's. "You don't have to pretend anymore."

Orm grinned, her heart racing as she leaned in. Their lips met in a kiss that was both gentle and passionate, a culmination of months of unspoken feelings and lingering tension.

The rain continued to pour around them, but in that moment, nothing else mattered. It was just them, standing together in the storm, finally letting their walls come down.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless but smiling.

"So," Orm said, her voice teasing. "Does this mean I win our bet?"

Lingling rolled her eyes, but her smile didn't fade. "Don't push your luck, Kornnaphat."

Orm laughed, the sound warm and full of joy. "Noted."

As they made their way back to Lingling's condo, sharing an umbrella and laughing softly, Lingling felt a sense of peace she hadn't known she needed. For the first time, she allowed herself to hope—not just for what they had now, but for what they could build together.

A/N: my fave chapter 😍