The End
The room was quiet, save for the occasional sound of the city filtering through the windows. It was a comfortable silence, but Orm couldn’t shake the undercurrent of tension swirling inside her.
Ling stretched out, her fingers absently scratching behind Uni’s ears. Orm watched her, the faint smile on Ling’s lips warming her chest. It felt... normal. Like the days before everything fell apart.
“I’m glad you stayed,” Orm said softly, breaking the silence.
Ling looked up, her smile fading into something more thoughtful. “Me too,” she replied, her voice just as quiet.
For a moment, Orm felt brave enough to reach out, to brush her fingers against Ling’s hand. But before she could act, Ling’s phone buzzed on the coffee table.
Orm froze, her heart sinking as she saw the name on the screen: Sonya.
Ling’s brows furrowed as she picked up the phone, glancing at Orm briefly before standing. “I’ll take this, give me a sec” she said, her tone neutral.
Orm nodded stiffly, watching as Ling disappeared into the other room. Her chest tightened, a familiar pang of jealousy twisting in her gut.
She tried to focus on anything else—Uni’s wagging tail, the faint hum of the refrigerator—but her mind kept drifting to the kitchen. To Ling. To Sonya.
What could they possibly have to talk about now?
She couldn’t erase the jealousy boiling in her, she knew how Sonya feel for Ling but even if Ling does not feel the same she didn’t like it for one bit.
Ling leaned against the kitchen counter, the faint hum of the refrigerator filling the silence as she answered the call.
“Hello?”
“Ling, finally,” Sonya’s voice was sharp with concern, cutting straight to the point. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Are you alright? What happened back there?”
Ling sighed, her free hand gripping the edge of the counter. “I’m fine, Sonya. It’s nothing you need to worry about.”
“Not worry?” Sonya’s tone shifted to incredulous. “Ling, I saw what happened on the screens. You fought Popor, and then you disappeared. What’s going on? And why did you leave with Orm?”
Ling felt her jaw tighten, the mention of Orm sparking something defensive in her. “It’s not something I want to talk about right now.”
The silence on the other end was heavy, but it didn’t last long. “Ling, is she manipulating you? I know she’s... important to you, but you don’t owe her anything after everything.”
Ling’s eyes narrowed, her frustration growing. “Orm isn’t manipulating me, Sonya. She helped me, alright? If anything, she’s the reason things didn’t get worse.”
“She’s the reason you fought in the first place,” Sonya countered, her tone quieter but no less pointed.
Ling pushed off the counter, walking toward the hallway to put more distance between herself and Orm in the living room. “Sonya, I appreciate your concern, but you don’t understand the whole story.”
“Then help me understand,” Sonya said, her voice softer now, almost pleading. “Ling, I care about you. I just don’t want to see you get hurt again.”
Ling leaned against the wall, her shoulders sagging. “This isn’t about you, Sonya. Orm and I... we have things to figure out. Please, just trust me to handle it.”
Sonya hesitated before responding. “Alright. But Ling, promise me you’ll be careful. If Orm does anything—”
“Goodnight, Sonya,” Ling interrupted firmly, her patience wearing thin. “Take care.”
She ended the call before Sonya could say more, her hands trembling slightly as she lowered the phone. Taking a deep breath, she composed herself before returning to the living room.
Orm’s gaze snapped to her the moment she entered, and Ling could see the tension in her posture. “Sonya,” Orm said flatly, not even asking.
Ling nodded, sitting on the edge of the couch. “She was just checking in. She saw what happened.”
Orm’s jaw clenched, her voice low. “And what did she have to say?”
Ling sighed, sensing the anger simmering beneath Orm’s calm facade. “She’s worried, that’s all. She wanted to know why I left with you.”
Orm’s hands curled into fists on her lap. “Of course, she did,” she muttered, her tone bitter. “She has no business meddling in this. In us.”
Ling raised an eyebrow, her frustration beginning to mirror Orm’s. “She’s just concerned, Orm. She doesn’t know the whole story.”
“And she doesn’t need to,” Orm shot back, her voice rising slightly. “This isn’t about her, Ling. It’s about us. Or do you want her to keep inserting herself into something she doesn’t belong in?”
Ling flinched at the sharpness in Orm’s tone but didn’t back down. “I didn’t ask for her opinion, Orm, and I didn’t ask for yours either. And I didn’t tell her anything. But you can’t expect people not to care about me. Like it or not, Sonya does.”
Orm exhaled heavily, running a hand through her hair. “I just... I don’t want her coming between us.”
Ling’s expression softened slightly, though her voice remained firm. “No one is coming between us, Orm. But if you’re going to let her get under your skin every time she calls, we’re not going to get very far. And honestly, I don’t think you should be hating Sonya.”
Orm fell silent, her gaze dropping to the floor. After a moment, she nodded. “You’re right. I’m sorry. And I don’t hate her, Ling, I’m just…”
Ling tilted her head, watching Orm carefully. “You’re what?”
Orm looked up, her eyes meeting Ling’s. The vulnerability in them was unmistakable, her usual calm facade cracking. “I’m jealous, okay?” she admitted, her voice breaking slightly. “It’s like she took my place. She takes care of you, supports you... she’s everything I should have been for you. And she loves you—I’m sure of it.”
Her last words came out barely above a whisper, her honesty tinged with pain. Orm’s hands clenched into fists at her sides, as if bracing herself for Ling’s response.
Ling stared at her, stunned by the rawness of Orm’s confession. The words hung between them, heavy and unspoken for far too long. Ling’s heart ached at the sight of Orm’s insecurity, the cracks in her armor now fully visible.
After a long pause, Ling spoke softly, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging inside her. “You’re wrong, Orm.”
Orm blinked, startled. “What?”
“You’re wrong,” Ling repeated, her gaze unwavering. “Sonya is a good friend, and yes, she’s been there for me. But she’s not you. She could never be you.”
Orm’s breath caught, her chest tightening at Ling’s words.
Ling took a small step closer, her voice gentler now. “No one could ever take your place, Orm. Not in my heart.”
The tension in the room shifted, the walls they’d built around themselves beginning to crumble.
Orm hesitated, her eyes softening as Ling’s words sank in. She opened her mouth to speak but faltered, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. Finally, she managed, “Do you really mean that?”
Ling nodded, her gaze steady. “I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t.”
Orm sat on the edge of the couch, her hands resting on her knees as she stole glances at Ling. She wanted to believe her, but years of guilt and self-doubt still loomed large. “You’re right,” Orm said quietly, breaking the silence. “I didn’t fight for you the way I should have. I let my fear control me, and I hurt you. I’ll never stop regretting that.”
Ling reached down absentmindedly, stroking Uni’s fur as she watched Orm. “It wasn’t just you, Orm. I was scared too. Scared of what we could be. Scared of what we’d lose if we didn’t work out. I should have confess earlier what I wanted”
Orm’s lips parted slightly, the vulnerability in Ling’s voice pulling her in. “But you were always braver than me, Ling. You’ve always been braver. Don’t blame yourself for the pathetic choices I’ve made.”
Ling let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “If that’s true, then why did it take me fighting Popor to finally feel like I’ve done something for us?”
Orm’s jaw tightened at the mention of Popor, but she forced herself to stay calm. “You shouldn’t have had to fight for us like that. I hate that she put you in that position, Ling.”
Ling looked down at Uni, her voice soft. “I hate that she hurt you, Orm. When I think about what she tried to do, it makes me—” She stopped, her voice trembling slightly as her anger threatened to resurface.
Orm leaned forward, her hand brushing Ling’s lightly. “I’ll take care of it, Ling. I’ll make sure she never gets close to either of us again.”
Ling turned her hand over, her fingers grazing Orm’s. “I don’t want you to have to deal with her. Not anymore. She doesn’t deserve another second of your energy.”
Orm nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Then I’ll focus on what matters. On you.”
Ling’s heart skipped a beat at the intensity in Orm’s gaze. She leaned back slightly, trying to keep her emotions in check. “And what exactly do you see happening with us, Orm? Do you think we can just... go back to how things were before?”
Orm shook her head slowly. “No. I don’t want to go back, Ling. I want something better. I want to do it right this time.”
Ling stared at her, the sincerity in Orm’s words stirring something deep inside her. “And if I’m not ready yet?” she asked softly, her voice tinged with hesitation.
Orm’s hand squeezed hers gently, her voice steady. “Then I’ll wait. However long it takes, I’ll wait for you.”
The room fell silent again, but this time the tension was different—softer, more hopeful. Ling glanced down at Uni, his peaceful presence grounding her.
Orm straightened on the couch, turning to face Ling fully. The warmth of Uni nestled on Ling’s lap and the softness in her expression made Orm’s heart ache with affection. She had held back for too long, and now, with Ling sitting here, she couldn’t let the moment pass.
“Ling,” Orm began, her voice low but steady. Ling looked up, her eyes meeting Orm’s with a hint of curiosity. “There’s something I’ve wanted to say for a long time. Something I should have told you years ago.”
Ling’s brows furrowed slightly, her lips parting as she waited. The weight of Orm’s gaze made her chest tighten, anticipation swirling in the quiet room.
“I love you, Ling,” Orm said, her voice trembling with emotion. “I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. Back then, I was too scared to admit it—to you, to myself. But it’s the truth. You’re the one I’ve always wanted. The one I’ll always want. I’m so in love with you that I feel like a teenager everytime I see you I cannot control my heart”
Ling’s breath caught, her hand stilling on Uni’s fur. The vulnerability in Orm’s words, the rawness in her tone, wrapped around her like a warm embrace.
“I don’t know what our future looks like,” Orm continued, her voice gaining strength. “But I know that I want to be in it. I want to love you the way you deserve, to make up for every mistake I’ve made. You’re my everything, Ling. You always have been.”
Ling stared at her, her emotions swirling in a chaotic mix of longing, fear, and overwhelming love. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came. The depth of Orm’s confession left her momentarily speechless.
Orm smiled softly, leaning back as if giving Ling the space she needed. “You don’t have to say anything,” she said gently. “I just... I needed you to know.”
Ling finally managed to speak, her voice trembling. “Orm...”
Orm reached over, brushing her fingers lightly against Ling’s hand. “It’s okay. Take your time. I’ll wait for you, P’Ling. Always.”
The tenderness in her touch and the sincerity in her words made Ling’s heartache in the best way. She looked down at Uni, blinking back the tears threatening to spill.
“I’m going to take a shower,” Orm said suddenly, breaking the moment but with a gentle smile. “You can turn on the TV if you’d like”
Ling nodded, her voice barely a whisper. “Okay.”
Orm stood, her movements slow and deliberate. As she walked toward the bathroom, she glanced back at Ling, her gaze filled with a quiet, unwavering love.
Ling leaned back against the couch, her fingers brushing absentmindedly through Uni’s fur. The little dog let out a soft sigh, settling more comfortably in her lap. But Ling’s thoughts were far from the present moment.
Orm’s words replayed in her mind, each syllable filled with the kind of raw emotion she hadn’t heard from her in years. I love you. You’re my everything.
Ling’s chest tightened, her gaze drifting toward the hallway where Orm had disappeared. She could still feel the warmth of Orm’s hand brushing hers, the tenderness in her eyes when she’d made her confession. It was overwhelming—beautiful, but overwhelming.
She had spent years telling herself that she’d moved on. That whatever she and Orm could have had was long gone, buried beneath misunderstandings and time. But tonight, it was as if all those walls she’d built around her heart were crumbling, leaving her exposed to feelings she thought she’d left behind.
Her fingers stilled on Uni’s fur as the memory of Orm’s song from earlier in the day surfaced. The lyrics—achingly familiar—had felt like a conversation they never had. And now, with Orm’s confession, it all made sense.
Uni stirred in her lap, nudging her hand with his nose. Ling smiled faintly, scratching behind his ears. “What do I do, Uni?” she murmured. “She’s laying everything out for me, but... what if I get hurt again? Do you think Mummy is ready for me?”
The little dog tilted his head, as if trying to understand. Ling chuckled softly, the sound tinged with sadness. “You don’t have the answers, do you, boy?”
Her gaze shifted to the soft glow of the kitchen light, the faint scent of the dinner Orm had prepared still lingering. It was so like Orm to pour her feelings into actions—small, meaningful gestures that spoke volumes even when words failed her.
Ling’s thoughts drifted to the way Orm had touched her cheek earlier, her fingers so careful and reverent. It had been such a simple thing, yet it made Ling’s heart ache. Orm wasn’t just saying she loved her—she was showing it. And for the first time in a long time, Ling felt like she could trust that.
But trust wasn’t easy. Not after everything.
She sighed, her head falling back against the couch. She didn’t know how to move forward—not yet. But as much as fear tried to hold her back, one truth remained: Orm still held a piece of her heart. And maybe, just maybe, she wanted to let her hold all of it again.
The sound of the shower shutting off snapped Ling out of her thoughts. She glanced toward the hallway, her heartbeat quickening. Uni perked up, his ears twitching as he sensed the shift in the atmosphere.
____________________________________________
Orm stepped out of the hallway, her damp hair falling loosely over her shoulders, dressed in a comfortable oversized T-shirt and soft shorts. She paused mid-step when her eyes landed on the scene before her.
Ling was sprawled on the couch, her legs tucked up slightly as she lay with Uni curled up against her chest. The glow of the television cast soft shadows across the room, and Ling’s face was relaxed, her lips curved into a faint smile as her fingers idly stroked Uni’s fur. The little dog’s tail wagged lazily in contentment.
Orm felt her chest tighten, a warmth blooming in her heart at the sight. It was such a simple, domestic moment, yet it was everything she hadn’t dared to dream of for years. Her love for Ling surged with an intensity that almost overwhelmed her.
Ling noticed her standing there and turned her head slightly, her gaze meeting Orm’s. “What?” she asked, her voice soft, teasing.
Orm shook her head, a small, almost shy smile tugging at her lips. “Nothing,” she said, her voice quiet. “You just... look perfect like that.”
Ling’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she looked away, focusing back on the TV. “Stop saying things like that,” she mumbled, though her tone lacked any real protest.
Orm walked over to the couch, hesitating for a moment before sitting down beside Ling. She kept a small distance, respecting the fragile space between them, but her eyes never left Ling’s face.
“You and Uni look like you belong together,” Orm said, her voice soft and full of affection. “I think he’s already picked you over me.”
Ling chuckled, her fingers brushing through Uni’s fur. “He’s smart. He knows who spoils him better. He remembers”
Orm laughed softly, the sound warm and genuine. She leaned back slightly, her gaze turning to the TV, though her focus was still on Ling. The tension from earlier had eased, leaving behind a quiet, tentative peace.
After a moment, Orm spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve missed this. Just... being near you.” She gently took Ling’s hand in hers, her fingers brushing delicately over Ling’s knuckles, as if trying to soothe the bruises left from the day’s fight.
Ling’s hand stilled on Uni, her breath catching as Orm’s touch sent a warmth coursing through her. She glanced at Orm, her expression unreadable at first before softening. “Me too,” she admitted quietly, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability.
Orm’s gaze flickered down to Ling’s hand, her brows knitting in concern. “You need cream for this,” she murmured, standing as if to fetch it. But before she could take a step, Ling’s hand darted out, wrapping around Orm’s wrist and stopping her in her tracks.
“Don’t leave,” Ling whispered, her voice soft but insistent. Her eyes locked onto Orm’s, her grip firm but gentle.
Orm froze, her heart skipping a beat at the request. She didn’t hesitate for long, settling back onto the couch beside Ling. “Okay,” she said softly. “I won’t.”
“But I need to—” Orm began to protest again, though her voice lacked any real conviction.
“You don’t need to do anything, Orm,” Ling interrupted, her tone resolute yet tender. “You’ve already taken care of me.” She gestured lightly toward her cheek with a faint smile, a teasing glint in her eyes.
“Not funny, Ling,” Orm muttered, her voice thick with emotion. Her gaze softened, and she reached up to cup Ling’s cheek, her thumb grazing along the edge of the faint bruise. Her touch was impossibly gentle, her fingertips brushing like the whisper of a breeze. “She dared to touch your beautiful face,” she murmured, her voice trembling with restrained anger.
“Well, I was the one who threw the first punch,” Ling countered, her smile widening slightly despite the tension in her voice. “So... I can’t really blame her for defending herself.”
Orm’s jaw tightened, her protectiveness flaring up again, but she didn’t argue. Her hand lingered on Ling’s cheek, her thumb tracing soft circles as if trying to erase the bruise with her touch.
Ling leaned into the touch.
“Still… I can’t take out the image of her punching you out of my mind… I just hate it so much” says Orm
The room fell into a comfortable silence, the sound of the TV providing a quiet background hum. Uni stirred slightly in Ling’s lap, but neither woman noticed, both very focused on each other.
Ling’s lips parted slightly, her breath hitching at the tenderness in Orm’s tone. She searched Orm’s eyes, seeing a depth of care that made her heart ache. “Orm... you can’t protect me from everything,” she whispered. “I don’t need you to. But... I like that you want to.”
Orm let out a soft laugh, more a release of tension than amusement. “I don’t think I could stop myself, even if I tried,” she admitted, her eyes flickering down to Ling’s lips for the briefest moment before darting back to her eyes.
Ling felt her pulse quicken, the weight of the moment pressing down on her chest. “Orm... do you really mean everything you’ve said tonight? About wanting to fight for us? About...” She hesitated, her voice faltering. “About still loving me?”
Orm’s hand stilled against her cheek, her fingers curling slightly as if afraid Ling might pull away. “I mean every word,” Orm said firmly, her voice steady. “I’ve never stopped loving you, Ling. And I’ll spend as long as it takes proving that to you.”
Ling’s heart clenched, a surge of warmth flooding through her. She glanced down at their hands, still resting lightly on her lap. Without thinking, she turned her palm up, intertwining her fingers with Orm’s.
“You don’t have to prove anything,” Ling said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I just need to know that you’re not going to run again.”
Orm’s grip on her hand tightened slightly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I’m not going anywhere, P’Ling. Not this time. I promise.”
The room seemed to shrink around them, the world outside fading away. Uni stirred in Ling’s lap again, his small tail wagging slightly as if sensing the shift in the air.
Ling gave a small, tentative smile, her thumb brushing lightly over the back of Orm’s hand on her cheek. “You’ve always had a way with words,” she murmured. “But I guess... actions speak louder.”
Orm’s breath hitched, her eyes locking onto Ling’s. The vulnerability in Ling’s expression—the way her lips parted ever so slightly, the faint flush coloring her cheeks—made Orm’s heart race.
“Can I kiss you?” Orm asked softly, her voice trembling with emotion. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from Ling’s lips, couldn’t fight the pull that had been there all along. “Please, Ling. I want to kiss you.”
Ling’s breath caught, her pulse quickening at the raw honesty in Orm’s voice. She hesitated for only a moment before nodding, her own voice barely a whisper. “Yes.”
Orm leaned in slowly, her hand cupping Ling’s cheek with the same care she’d shown earlier. Their breaths mingled, the world around them falling away completely as she closed the gap.
When their lips met, it was gentle at first—tentative, as if testing the waters. But the moment Ling responded, tilting her head slightly to deepen the kiss, something inside Orm ignited. Her other hand came up to cradle Ling’s face, holding her as if she were something precious and fragile.
Ling melted into the kiss, her free hand slipping around Orm’s neck to pull her closer while her other hand comes to grab her waist to pull her closer. The warmth of Orm’s touch, the softness of her lips—it was everything Ling had missed and more.
When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads rested together, both of them breathing heavily. Orm’s hands lingered on Ling’s cheeks, her thumbs brushing lightly against her skin, as if committing the moment to memory.
“I meant what I said,” Orm whispered, her voice steady despite the emotions swirling within her. “I’ll fight for us, Ling. Every single day. I love you.”
Ling’s lips quirked into a soft smile, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “I believe you, Orm,” she said softly, her voice trembling. “And I... I love you too.”
The weight of their past—the misunderstandings, the heartbreak, the years apart—seemed to lift just enough, leaving room for something fragile and hopeful to bloom between them.
They stayed like that for a moment longer, neither willing to break the spell.
Uni, ever the intuitive one, wagged his tail enthusiastically and let out a small bark, his attempt at joining the moment breaking the silence.
Both women laughed softly, their hands still intertwined.
“Looks like we have a cheerleader,” Orm said with a chuckle, her fingers brushing a stray strand of hair behind Ling’s ear.
Ling tilted her head, her gaze warm as she leaned back slightly but kept Orm’s hand firmly in hers. “Guess we’re doing this, huh?”
Orm tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. “Guess we’ll have to start somewhere.”
Ling chuckled, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Somewhere, huh? And where do you suggest we start?”
Orm didn’t answer with words. Instead, she leaned in, closing the space between them as her lips brushed Ling’s in a kiss that was neither hurried nor tentative—it was steady and filled with the promise of a future together.
Ling responded immediately, her free hand finding its way to Orm’s cheek, pulling her closer. The kiss deepened, carrying with it everything they’d been too afraid to say for years. It was an unspoken vow, a testament to the love that had endured despite the odds.
Uni let out a small whine, shifting slightly at their feet as if to remind them he was still there. Both women pulled away, their foreheads touching as they broke into quiet laughter.
Ling smiled, her eyes shining with a mixture of joy and relief. “I guess that’s our cue to slow down.”
Orm laughed, her hand cupping Ling’s cheek. “Maybe. But I don’t want to let this moment go.”
Ling leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of Orm’s lips before settling back against the couch. She rested her head on Orm’s shoulder, her fingers lacing with hers.
Neither of them spoke, content to let the silence envelop them. The warmth of their shared connection filled the room, marking the beginning of a new chapter—a love rebuilt, stronger than before.
And for the first time in years, both Ling and Orm felt at peace and they know that now they will be happy together with no secrets between them.
The End