Orm took it day by day, each step forward a quiet battle. Little by little, she found herself moving through life, but always at her own pace. The world seemed to spin faster than she could keep up with, and though she was physically alone, emotionally, she carried Lingling with her—everywhere, in everything. It was as if a part of her soul had remained tethered to Lingling’s, and no matter how much time passed, that connection could never truly be severed.
She tried to continue with her acting career, but nothing felt the same. The bright lights, the sets, the co-stars—they all seemed so distant, so hollow. No one could fill the space that Lingling had left. Every scene, every line, reminded her of the one person who had been her everything. It was too much to bear. She couldn’t be paired with anyone else—not just because it felt wrong, but because it felt like a betrayal. Lingling was her partner, her love, and no one else could take that place.
On the first anniversary of Lingling’s passing, Orm made a decision. She took a solo trip, seeking the quiet she could no longer find at home, away from the suffocating weight of grief. She needed to be alone with her memories, to process the loss in her own way, away from the prying eyes of the world. She didn’t want distractions, didn’t want to face anyone who might remind her of the life she was supposed to be living.
I dream of watching the hot air ballons in Cappadocia with you.
It had always been Lingling’s dream to see the hot air balloons rise over Cappadocia, their colorful silhouettes painting the sky at dawn. Orm could still hear Lingling’s voice in her mind, describing it in vivid detail, the excitement in her voice as she imagined the view.
"One day," Lingling had said, "we’ll be up there, floating above it all, and I’ll have you beside me."
But that day never came. Orm stood at the edge of the world, a place Lingling had longed to visit, on the first anniversary of her passing. The hot air balloons drifted across the sky as Orm walked the cobblestone streets of Cappadocia, her steps slow and deliberate, but the weight in her chest heavier than any distance she had traveled. She could almost hear Lingling beside her, laughing, her words spinning out with wonder at the beauty of it all.
Orm’s heart ached, but she continued to walk, each step a quiet tribute to the woman that would always remain in her heart. The streets were lined with quaint cafes, bustling markets, and the soft glow of lanterns, but the city felt distant—like a dream she could never fully reach.
Orm's eyes scanned the horizon, watching the balloons lift slowly into the sky, the colorful orbs dotting the early morning light. She could feel Lingling’s presence, not in the physical world, but in every corner of this place, in the soft breeze, in the quiet moments between the bustle of life.
Lingling had always been the dreamer, the one who believed in the endless possibilities of life, and Orm had followed her into that world of dreams, even when they felt impossible. Now, with Lingling gone, Orm was left with nothing but memories, and she had come here to honor those dreams—Lingling’s dreams.
---
As the day faded into night, Orm settled into the quiet of her room, her heart racing with each passing second. She could feel the weight of anticipation in her chest as she prepared to watch the final video Lingling had left for her. Her hands trembled slightly as she hit play, her eyes fixed on the screen, knowing this would be the last time she’d see Lingling’s face in this way.
The screen flickered to life, and Lingling’s familiar voice filled the room, gentle yet full of love.
“Hey, love. If you’re watching this, it means I’m not with you anymore... but I need you to hear this, okay?” Lingling’s eyes looked directly at the camera, her gaze soft and filled with emotion. “It’s been a year, and I know it’s been so hard for you... for both of us. You’ve carried me with you every single day, and I’m forever grateful for the love you’ve given me.”
Lingling paused, a small, bittersweet smile playing at the corners of her lips. The sadness in her eyes was undeniable, but there was a deep sense of peace there too, as though she had come to terms with everything.
“I know you think about me all the time, and I love you for that. But you’ve already given me everything, Orm. Your heart, your time, your care... more than I ever deserved. But now, it’s time for you to live for you again. It’s time for you to find joy, to find peace, and to make new memories that fill your heart the way I always tried to. You deserve that, Orm. You deserve happiness.”
She pauses, her eyes looking off into the distance as if gathering strength for what she needs to say next. “You don’t have to feel guilty for moving forward. I don’t want you to. Please... live your life, love again if you can, laugh the way you used to—even if it hurts sometimes. I’ll be with you every step of the way. Always. But I want you to feel free, to breathe again. Don’t let this pain weigh you down any longer. You’ve carried my heart with you long enough. Now, it’s time for you to let yours heal.”
Lingling’s voice cracks slightly, but she quickly regains composure, a single tear slipping down her cheek.
“I’ll always love you, Orm. No matter where I am, no matter what happens. But I want you to live—live for both of us. You’ve been my greatest love, and I’ll be waiting for you... when the time is right. Until then, promise me... promise me you’ll be happy. Promise me you’ll be okay.”
Lingling’s face softens into a final, tender smile, the most genuine, loving expression she can muster. As the video begins to fade to black, Lingling’s soft, final whisper echoes in the quiet room.
I love you... always
3 years later – Orm POV
I rushed through the airport, glancing at my watch, my luggage bouncing with every hurried step.
Shit.
“Orm!” I heard Mark’s voice calling out to me. “Cutting it a little too close there.”
“I overslept,” I replied, my breath coming in short gasps. “I thought I was going to miss my flight.”
It had been three years since I’d started honoring Lingling’s late wish. In her memory, I’d changed careers, and today was supposed to be my first flight as a commercial pilot. The thought of it always made me smile, a bittersweet kind of joy that I carried with me every day.
Up there, in the sky, I always felt closer to her. It wasn’t until the travels I made during my grief that I realized this. The skies, the endless horizon—it was as if Lingling’s spirit was with me in the clouds. Now, it felt like life was a little easier to navigate, with the weight of her memory guiding me, just like the course on a flight plan.
As Captain Mark and I settled into the cockpit, he turned to me with a smile. “You should do your first announcement.”
I blinked, surprised. “What?”
“Go on,” he urged, chuckling a little. “I know you’ve been waiting for this.”
I took a deep breath, looking out at the cockpit before glancing at Mark. He gave me an encouraging nod as he continued the flight check. I cleared my throat and opened the intercom, my heart pounding. It was a simple moment, but it felt like everything.
“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. This is your First Officer, Orm Kwong, speaking...”