The Glimpse Of Us

Only U Records office

Orm stepped through the glass doors of Only U Records, the familiar hum of activity washing over her. Staff members moved briskly through the halls, voices blending into the background as rehearsals, meetings, and schedules unfolded around her.

She had been away for two months. But nothing had changed.

A burst of laughter echoed from the hallway, followed by an unmistakable teasing voice.

"Well, well, well. Look who finally decided to return to civilization."

Orm turned just in time to see Fluke leaning against the doorway of the conference room, arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips.

"You look tanner," he noted, squinting at her. "Did you work on a rice farm or something?"

Orm rolled her eyes. "I was on vacation, Phi."

Fluke grinned. "Sure, sweetie. A vacation that lasted long enough to make everyone in this company wonder if you were coming back."

Before Orm could retort, another voice—soft but hoarse—cut through.

"Fluke, leave the girl alone."

Junji.

Orm's gaze snapped to her, concern flickering in her chest. Junji looked... tired. Her usual vibrant energy was there, but her voice was barely more than a rasp, and there was a slight pallor to her skin.

Orm frowned. "P'Junji, are you okay? Your voice—"

"Like a dying cat," Fluke said, deadpan. "She's been sick for nearly a week." He shot her a look. "But does she listen? Nooo. You could drop dead, and you'd still try to run this company."

Junji waved a dismissive hand, though her movements were slower than usual. "I'm fine. It's just the flu."

"I keep telling her to rest, but you know Junji." Suzie rolled her eyes. "Workaholic."

Orm nodded, but her mind was elsewhere.

Suzie appeared, ushering them into the meeting room.

***

"Before we go, there's something you should see," Junji said, motioning for Orm to follow.

Fluke grinned, nudging Orm's side. "It's a surprise."

Orm raised an eyebrow but followed them down a familiar hallway. It had been a while since she last walked this path—the corridor leading to the Legacy Room, a space that documented Only U Records' history.

Junji pushed open the door, revealing a sleek, well-lit room filled with trophies, framed records, award plaques, and signed memorabilia from the company's biggest successes. Orm's eyes scanned the room, taking in the shimmering gold and silver awards that lined the walls.

But what made her pause was how much of it featured her.

A large poster of her first solo album. Her award for "Best Female Artist of the Year." A framed newspaper clipping celebrating one of her sold-out world tours.

Fluke whistled. "Feels like half this room belongs to you now, superstar."

Orm swallowed, feeling an odd mix of pride and discomfort. "I... I didn't realize."

"You should. You carried this company on your back these past few years," Junji said, smiling. "You're the reason we expanded internationally."

Orm chuckled, shaking her head. "I didn't do it alone."

"Still," Fluke smirked, "imagine telling baby Orm, the YouTube cover singer, that she'd have her own museum wing in Only U Records one day."

Orm rolled her eyes. "It's not a museum."

Junji and Fluke exchanged looks.

"It's totally a museum," Fluke said.

Orm huffed but smiled, running her fingers over the edge of a glass display case filled with memorabilia from the company's early days. Inside, she saw dusty old trophies, faded competition posters, and framed photos of the company's first big wins.

It was strange. She had spent years chasing success, but she had never stopped to look back at where it all started.

Junji nudged her playfully. "You look like you're about to give a TED Talk on nostalgia."

Orm smirked. "Maybe I should. 'The Rise and Fall of Ayla: A Cautionary Tale.'"

Fluke snorted. "Please, if anything, it's 'The Reign of Ayla: The Untouchable Idol.'"

Junji crossed her arms. "You better trademark that before the company turns it into a documentary."

Orm laughed, shaking her head.

For now, this was enough.

***

The meeting should have been routine. Discussions of upcoming schedules, new endorsements, and future performances filled the air.

But Orm barely heard any of it.

She sat at the long table, nodding when needed, giving vague answers when asked about Kalasin. Suzie covered for her when necessary, sensing her detachment.

Her mind drifted.

This is your world, Lingling had said. You don't belong in Kalasin.

Orm clenched her fists beneath the table.

Then why did she feel like a stranger here?

Before she knew it, the meeting ended. Voices faded, chairs scraped against the floor, and people moved around her. Orm stood, moving on autopilot as she exchanged goodbyes and walked through the familiar hallways of Only U Records.

She barely remembered getting into her car.

Now, the city lights blurred past the window as Orm sat in the backseat, her head resting against the cool glass.

Bangkok was alive—bustling, loud, and endless.

Yet, she had never felt lonelier.

Her fingers hesitated before unlocking her phone.

She wasn't sure why she did it.

Maybe she just needed something to hold onto.

She swiped through her gallery, and there they were—fragments of a world that already felt too far away.

Lingling's face, bathed in golden sunset, standing by the wooden pier at the rice field canal.

Her delicate hands resting against the ancient dinosaur footprints.

The way the sunlight caught in her hair at the Phu Faek Forest Park, making her look almost ethereal.

Both of them at the festival, laughing, trying every food stall, wearing traditional costumes.

And then—Lingling, standing beneath the night sky, a ceremonial scarf draped over her shoulders, her smile soft, content.

Orm exhaled shakily, her chest tightening.

Finally, she reached the last video.

Their guitar duet.

Danny had sent it to her.

She hesitated, then pressed play.

The first strum of the guitar filled the silence, followed by her own voice—steady, warm. Then—Lingling's voice joined hers, intertwining like it had always belonged there.

Orm clenched her jaw, blinking rapidly.

She shut the screen off before the song could finish, pressing the phone against her forehead.

It hurt.

It hurt so much.

She closed her eyes, willing herself to breathe.

But all she could hear was Lingling's voice, lingering in the empty space beside her.

***

Her mornings started before sunrise—vocal training, choreography rehearsals, interviews, endorsement shoots. Every moment was scheduled down to the minute, leaving no room for pause.

Cameras flashed as she posed for a luxury skincare campaign.

Backstage staff rushed around as she prepped for a performance at an upcoming event.

Her trainer pushed her through another round of vocal exercises.

Orm executed every move flawlessly. She smiled for every camera. She hit every note.

She was Ayla.

And yet—

Late at night, after another long day at the studio, Orm lay in bed, exhaustion settling deep in her bones.

Staring at the ceiling, she felt the cold emptiness of her massive bedroom.

The air was different.

Too clean. Too still.

No soft rustling of Lingling moving in the kitchen.

No warmth of a small wooden house filled with laughter.

Just silence.

A soft whimper broke through the quiet.

Orm blinked, turning her head. At the foot of her bed, Uni curled into a small ball, looking up at her with sleepy eyes.

For a moment, Orm just watched her. Then, she reached down, scooping Uni into her arms. The little Pomeranian nuzzled into her chest, letting out a tiny sigh.

Orm exhaled.

At least one thing from Kalasin had come back with her.

She held Uni a little tighter.

***

A week passed.

Orm walked into the grand living room of Sethratanapong Mansion, stretching her arms as she glanced around.

"P'Orm!"

A blur of motion—then two arms latched onto her. Orm barely had time to brace herself before Att practically tackled her into a hug.

"Whoa!" Orm laughed, ruffling his hair. "Missed me that much?"

Att pulled away with a scowl. "No. You've just been impossible to find! You come back from hiatus, and suddenly you're too busy to even come home?"

Orm gasped dramatically. "Rude!"

A sharp bark interrupted them.

They both turned just as Uni came bounding into the room, tail wagging furiously. She jumped onto Orm's leg, yipping excitedly.

Att groaned. "Oh, great. She missed you, too."

Orm grinned, bending down to scoop Uni up. "Of course she did! My little angel." She smothered Uni with kisses, earning another exaggerated groan from Att.

"But she sleeps with me every night," Orm added, nuzzling Uni affectionately. "Unlike some people who don't even text their sister."

Att crossed his arms. "She probably just thinks you're a giant pillow."

Orm gasped dramatically. "How dare you? My daughter loves me."

Mae Koy chuckled from the couch, watching their antics with a fond smile. "Welcome home, dear."

Orm turned, softening at the sight of her mother. "Mae." She moved to sit beside her, leaning her head against her shoulder.

Mae Koy gently patted her daughter's hair. "How was your trip?"

Orm hesitated. "It was... nice."

Mae Koy hummed, a knowing look in her eyes.

Orm knew that look.

Her mother saw through her.

***

That evening, Mr. Sethratanapong returned from a business meeting, setting down a small gift bag on the table.

"A client gave me this earlier," he said casually, taking off his watch. "Mango sticky rice and some flowers. Thought I'd bring them home."

Orm's eyes lit up at the dessert. "Oh! This is my favorite now!" She eagerly reached for it, already imagining the sweet, creamy taste.

Att and Mae Koy blinked.

Att scoffed. "Hold on. You—Miss 'I only eat fancy pastries'—are suddenly obsessed with mango sticky rice?"

Mae Koy tilted her head. "You always said they were too sweet."

Orm paused, spoon halfway to her mouth.

She hadn't even realized it.

Kalasin.

Lingling.

Her chest tightened, the scent of coconut milk suddenly feeling too familiar, too nostalgic.

She swallowed the lump in her throat and forced a small smile. "Guess my taste changed."

Att smirked, leaning back against the couch. "Uh-huh. And does this sudden change have anything to do with a certain 'pretty lady' from Kalasin?"

Orm choked on her bite. "Att!"

Att grinned. "I knew it."

Mae Koy hid a knowing smile behind her teacup. "Well, at least you're eating more Thai food now."

Orm huffed, shoving another spoonful into her mouth to avoid answering.

As she chewed, her eyes drifted to the bouquet sitting on the table. She hadn't paid much attention to it before, but now, something about it tugged at her chest.

Her fingers brushed over the petals, absentmindedly tracing the soft, layered blooms.

And then—she froze.

Among the flowers—purple hydrangeas.

Orm stilled.

The memories hit her all at once.

Lingling's resort.

The fields of hydrangeas.

Lingling, standing in the midst of them, smiling softly.

"Baobao, these flowers bring me a heartfelt feeling."

Her fingers curled around the bouquet, her throat tightening.

Mae Koy, noticing her reaction, smiled. "You still like them, just like when you were little."

Orm blinked. Slowly lifted her gaze. "What?"

Mae Koy chuckled, sipping her tea. "When you were young, we had hydrangeas all over the mansion's garden. You used to play near them all the time."

Orm's mind reeled.

She tried to picture it—tried to remember.

But her childhood memories were blurry. She had been sick so often, confined inside, barely exploring the gardens.

Had she really been surrounded by them all this time?

Mae Koy stood, walking over to a shelf, pulling out an old family album.

She flipped through the pages—then stopped.

"Here." She handed the album to Orm.

Orm's gaze landed on the photo—

A much younger version of herself, maybe four or five years old, sitting in the mansion's front garden.

And behind her—

Rows and rows of hydrangeas.

Mostly purple.

Orm inhaled sharply.

All this time—she had seen them before.

She just hadn't remembered.

Her grip on the bouquet tightened.

She suddenly missed Lingling more than she thought was possible.