Orbit

🎵

The hustle and bustle of the road from the campus is gradually increasing, the streets are lined with a blend of warm amber and light indigo, establishments have come alive as restaurants start preparing for a busy shift. Vehicles honk and pass by trying not to get caught with the dusk’s rush hour.

Film jogged lightly down the sidewalk, clutching her sketchbook to her chest. She was running late—her last class’s professor had way too much energy yapping but so little time left, so now she had to catch the next bus if she wanted to make it home before dark.

Meanwhile, Namtan had been walking the same route, earbuds in, casually daydreaming. She’d planned to head home earlier but decided to take the long route to drop Milk off at the radio station where she does part-time.

When she turned the corner, her steps faltered.

Standing there at the bus stop was Film.

Namtan blinked, her heart doing an unexpected flip. She had never seen Film here before—this wasn’t even the route she usually took.

What were the odds?

Did Milk manifest this for me? she asked herself.

The faint rumble of the bus echoed down the street, Film tucked her sketchbook into her bag, and Namtan found herself walking toward the stop without thinking. The bus pulled up, its brakes squealing as the doors hissed open.

Film frowned slightly as she stepped onto the bus, she squeezed through the narrow aisle until she reached a small space near the window, gripping the overhead pole for support.

Namtan boarded right behind her, her eyes instinctively scanning for Film in the crowded bus. When she spotted her standing by the window, her shoulders tense and her fingers clutching the pole, Namtan didn’t think twice. She weaved through the throng of people, trying to get to Film, whose eyes were downcast from the moment she settled on that little corner in the bus.

It was cramped, impossibly so, and Namtan realized there was no way to stand without being too close. The jostling of the bus made it worse—people stumbled into each other with every turn, and she watched as Film pressed herself against the window to avoid being shoved.

Namtan shifted, planting her feet firmly on the ground. Before she could second-guess herself, she reached up to grab the pole with one hand and angled her body to shield Film from the crowd.

Film glanced up at her, her wide eyes meeting Namtan’s.

“Phi’Namtan? What are you doing here? —” there were a lot of questions running through her mind.

Film looked at her up and down, worried, scanning if the other girl was alright.

“It’s fine,” Namtan says, smiling sheepishly. “Just hold onto the window or something.”

Film blinked, her cheeks tinting pink as she nodded.

The bus jolted abruptly, sending everyone lurching forward. Film gasped, losing her footing as her body lurched toward the older girl. Her hands instinctively gripped the sides of Namtan's waist for support.

Namtan leaned closer on reflex, bracing one arm against the window behind Film.

A faint tension rippled through Namtan’s abdomen at the unexpected touch. She quickly turned her head toward the road, trying to focus on anything but the fluttering stirring within her.

“Hey, watch it!” a passenger yelled, shoving another aside. The commotion caused one of them to stumble, crashing into Namtan from behind and pushing her even closer — with Film’s nose brushing Namtan’s cheek.

She’s almost kissing Namtan at this point.

Now, they were impossibly close. Film’s back was almost pressed against the window, she could clearly see the older girl’s plump lips, she shifted her gaze elsewhere, heart pounding rhythmically.

“Are you okay?” Namtan asked, her gaze flickering down to check on Film.

Film nodded quickly, her breath hitching slightly.

She smells like baby powder. She thought.

“Yeah. Just… tight space.” She gave a small, nervous laugh, her fingers brushing against the cool metal of the window frame.

Namtan swallowed hard, her pulse racing as she realized just how close they were. The small space between them felt charged, the warmth of Film’s presence making the already stuffy bus feel even hotter.

She tried to focus on keeping her balance, but her eyes kept drifting to Film’s face—how her lashes fluttered when she blinked or how she could feel Film’s hot breath brush her own cheek.

Film glanced up at her again, her gaze locking onto Namtan’s.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the noise of the bus fading into the background. Namtan’s lips parted slightly, but for some dumb reason, she couldn’t fully muster up the courage she needed, so she closed her eyes while blurting out the words-

“Nong’Film, I-I..” she stammers.

“I was wondering if it’s alright with you, If I could…If I could maybe get your… number?” the last part almost a whisper.

The bus was packed and they were so close to each other, Film was definitely sure of what she heard.

I was just thinking and sketching about you – Film thought to herself and suddenly, by some twisted fate, Namtan is here in front of her, asking for her number.

Thousands of butterflies just spawned in her stomach. She couldn’t hold back the smile forming on her lips nor the apparent reddening of her cheeks and since it was impossible to take her phone out from her bag, she snatched a pen that was safely tucked by the side pocket of her bag.

Namtan had mentally prepared herself for rejection, giving herself a pep talk just in case. With her eyes still shut, she braced for an excuse, but none came. Instead, she felt something cold and slightly ticklish against her arm, the one resting on the window to keep Film protected from the other passengers.

She opened her eyes to see Film scribbling something on her arm.

“Sorry, it’s too cramped in here, I can’t reach for my phone” says Film, eyes focused on writing her number on Namtan’s arm instead.

She steals a quick glance at a seemingly bewildered Namtan and smiles to herself, feeling giddy.

“Phi, my stop is here. Thanks again,” she said softly, her gaze lingering on Namtan’s for a moment longer than necessary.

Namtan nodded, her lips quirking into a small smile.

Film stepped off the bus and waits until the it leaves, her body still tingling from the closeness they’d shared. She offers Namtan a sincere, grateful smile from outside the window. Namtan could only nod and stare at her adoringly, doesn’t matter if she’s getting quashed by the rest of the passengers inside.

As the bus pulled away, Namtan slumped against the pole, letting out a shaky breath.

She takes a good look at Film’s number written on her arm.

Maybe fate really is on my side.

Namtan thought, her chest swelling with quiet hope.

- 🐥See you on the next chapter 🐼-