WHISPERS OF LINGORM : A One-Shot Anthology - Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Lingling took a deep breath, glancing down as she held Orm's hand, ready to lay bare the weight of her past.
"Three years ago," Lingling began, her voice barely a whisper, "everything in my life shattered..."
Flashback
Three Years Ago...
"Ling… please, please listen to me," Film’s voice cracked, desperate. "I know you’re not happy with this marriage, but believe me, I had no other choice… just once, let me explain…"
Lingling stood before her, arms crossed tightly. She looked at her best friend—the girl who had once been the closest person in her world—now, forced into the role of her wife, tied not by choice but by a ruthless business arrangement. Film’s parents and Lingling’s uncle had orchestrated the marriage as a business deal, sealing her fate without her say.
"Love? Believe?..Film" Lingling's words were quiet but bitter. "You knew how I felt about this, how hard I tried to stop it, I fought so hard to stop this marriage. I begged, I pleaded, I did everything to escape it. but you... you didn’t even try, Film. You just gave up and let them decide for us. You were my best friend, but now… this is all forced. I don't love you, Film. I can’t. You mean the world to me as a friend, but that’s all. I can’t feel anything more than that. So let’s just… keep things as they are, without hoping for more.
I’ve left my uncle’s house; he never cared about me, just treated me as a burden. I’ll stay with you and fulfill my responsibilities as your wife, but don’t expect love from me.”
Those words hung in the air, heavy and painful. Lingling didn’t realize then how deeply they’d cut into Film’s heart.
Despite everything, Film accepted Lingling’s terms, staying in the hope that maybe, someday, Lingling’s heart would soften toward her. She never showed her pain to Lingling, instead quietly caring for her. She made sure Lingling was comfortable, handled household responsibilities, and stayed by her side, trying her best to be there even if Lingling only saw her presence as an obligation.
As time passed, their relationship remained cold, distant. Lingling immersed herself in her small business, focusing solely on work to avoid thinking about the unwanted weight of her marriage. The bond they once had as best friends began to fade, replaced by a silence neither knew how to fill.
Film confided her pain only to her older sister, Faye, who was Lingling’s friend too and had always treated Lingling like her own sibling. Faye had been Lingling’s support since Lingling's parents’ death, offering her love and security when she was left alone with her uncle.
One evening, Film poured out her sorrows to Faye, her voice breaking under the weight of unspoken heartbreak. “I love her, Phi… but it’s only one-sided. She doesn’t feel the same. She’s taken on the role of my wife, she cared, but… she’s cold, distant. I know it’s because she never wanted this marriage.”
Faye listened, her heart aching for her sister. But slowly, anger brewed within her, though she tried to push it down. Lingling was her friend, someone she had always trusted and supported, but hearing how Film was hurting because of Lingling’s rejection made Faye feel a bitterness she couldn’t ignore.
Six months passed, and the fragile relationship between Film and Lingling remained unchanged. Then, one night, tragedy struck. Film was returning from a visit to Faye when her car collided on the highway. The news shattered Lingling, and she rushed to the hospital, numb with terror.
“Mrs. Film Kwong... where is she? Please, I need to see her,” Lingling’s voice shook as she reached the hospital reception.
The nurse’s gaze softened. “She’s in the operation theater. The injuries were severe…”
Lingling’s vision blurred as she stumbled toward the operating room. She couldn’t go in, couldn’t do anything but wait, helpless and scared. Moments later, Faye arrived. Lingling clung to her, her tears spilling as she asked about Film, but Faye held her with a cold, distant gaze.
Finally, the surgeon emerged. Lingling rushed forward, her heart pounding.
“Doctor… how is she? Can I see her?”
The doctor’s face was grave. “I’m sorry. The injuries were too severe. We did everything we could, but…”
Lingling’s world collapsed. She sank to the ground, her voice barely a whisper as she choked out, “No… no… this can’t be…”
Faye stood nearby, her face twisted with grief and anger.
When Film’s body was brought out, Lingling wanted to reach out, to touch her, to hug her best friend. But just as she was about to, Faye stopped her, her eyes blazing with fury.
“No, Ling,” she spat, her voice filled with bitter resentment. “This… this is your fault. She’s gone because of you. She loved you with all her heart, and you never cared, did you?”
Lingling looked at Faye, shocked, her lips trembling as she tried to explain, but Faye didn’t let her speak.
“You were everything to her, Ling. She sacrificed her happiness for you, cared for you in every way, even when you pushed her away. And now…” Faye’s voice broke, her eyes blazing with pain. “You’re cursed, Ling. Everyone who loves you ends up dead. Your parents, who loved you… they’re gone. And now Film… gone, all because of you.”
Lingling shook her head, her heart tearing apart, but Faye’s words sank deep. Faye looked her straight in the eyes, a mix of grief and disgust. “You don’t deserve anyone, Ling. You’re meant to be alone.”
After Film’s death, Lingling spiraled into guilt and despair. Faye’s words haunted her, making her believe she was a curse. The weight of it crushed her, and she withdrew from everyone, isolating herself. She would spend hours in Film’s room, crying, lost in regrets. Every memory of Film's love and care only deepened her guilt, making her feel unworthy of anyone’s affection.
Eventually, unable to bear it any longer, she left China and moved to Bangkok, throwing herself entirely into work, trying to numb her pain. But the fear, the regret, and the words Faye had left her with never stopped haunting her. Even now, they followed her like shadows, a constant reminder of her losses, the feeling that she was destined to remain alone.
Flashback end...
The memory washed over Lingling, the bitterness of that night still haunting her. She swallowed, feeling Orm’s gentle touch steady her in the present. "That’s why… that’s why I’m afraid, Nong Orm. You deserve someone who doesn’t bring tragedy. Faye was right… and if I let you get too close, if I let myself feel… you’ll end up hurt too."
Lingling’s voice broke, her heart laid bare. She could no longer shield herself from the truth—or from the fear that she would lose Orm, too.
Orm's eyes glistened with tears as she absorbed each heart-wrenching word from Lingling. Unable to contain her emotions, she instinctively tightened her grip on Lingling's hand, as if promising she’d never let her go. The ache in Ling's voice, the weight of guilt and loneliness she carried—it tore at Orm's heart. Finally, unable to hold back any longer, she pulled Ling into a tight embrace, letting her own tears flow freely, mingling with Ling’s pain.
“Pling…” Orm’s voice was soft, laced with desperation. “Don’t say these things. You’re not cursed. You’re not unlucky. You deserve love and happiness just as much as anyone else, maybe even more.” Her words trembled, barely above a whisper, but resolute. “I won’t leave you. You don’t have to push me away. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
Lingling pulled back slightly, her face etched with worry and fear, and placed a gentle hand on Orm’s shoulder, as if trying to keep her at arm’s length. “Nong Orm… please, i..i love you” she murmured, her voice fractured. “But for your own safety, stay away from me. I’ve lost everyone I’ve ever loved. I… I can’t bear the thought of losing you, too.”
But Orm only held her tighter, shaking her head as her own voice broke. “I don’t care about any curse, Pling,” she said fiercely. “I’m not resigning. No matter how much you push me away, I’ll be here. I don’t care about some fear that’s keeping you from believing in happiness. You deserve to be loved—and I’m not giving up on you.”
Lingling could see the unshakable determination in Orm's eyes, and for a moment, her heart stirred with an warmth, a glimmer of hope she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in years. She didn’t have the strength to argue anymore, but her mind still echoed with fear and guilt.
After a long moment, as their emotions settled, Orm wiped her tears and looked at Lingling with curiosity and caution. “Faye… that name sounds familiar,” she murmured, almost to herself.
Lingling nodded slowly, her eyes dropping, recalling the painful memories tied to that name. “Yes… Faye Malisorn. She’s a renowned artist, well-known back in China. Her work… her reputation—it reaches far and wide"
Orm’s expression shifted as the recognition settled in, her understanding deepening. She nodded quietly, realizing why the name had struck a chord within her.
They sat in silence, lingering in the quiet, comforting each other in unspoken solidarity. Orm finally stood to leave, but before she left, she took Ling’s hand one last time, squeezing it with a reassuring warmth that silently promised she would stay—no matter what.
Orm had taken two days’ leave from work, explaining that she had some urgent matters to attend to. She knew that to ease Lingling’s suffering, she had to find a way to bring closure to her connection with Faye. This meeting was her only hope.
Orm stepped into the imposing “Malisorn Art House,” taking in the high ceilings, polished marble, and captivating artwork adorning the lobby. She approached the reception desk with a steady resolve, her heart racing but her expression calm.
“I have an appointment with Ms. Faye Malisorn,” she said, her voice respectful yet firm.
The receptionist scanned the schedule and nodded. “Ms. Orm Kornnaphat?”
Orm gave a slight nod, and the receptionist directed her toward Faye’s office. Walking through a hallway lined with striking sculptures, she reached an intricately designed wooden door. Taking a deep breath, Orm knocked, hearing a curt “Come in” from the other side.
Inside, Faye Malisorn sat at her desk—a statuesque woman with piercing eyes and an air of authority that was almost palpable. The coldness in her gaze grew sharper as Orm introduced herself and mentioned Lingling’s name.
“Oh,” Faye said, folding her arms with a bitter smirk. “So you’re her latest… attachment? Let me give you some advice. If you value yourself, stay far away from her. Lingling brings nothing but trouble.”
Orm’s heart ached at Faye’s harsh words, but she stood her ground, determined. “Ms. Faye, I understand how much you loved your sister, and losing her the way you did—it’s something I can’t even imagine. But Lingling isn’t responsible for what happened to Film.”
Faye scoffed, her voice dripping with resentment. “Not responsible? My sister loved Lingling more than anything, and in return, she… she lost everything. Lingling is a curse. Everything she touches falls apart.”
“No, it wasn’t like that,” Orm countered, her voice firm but pleading. “Film was Lingling’s best friend, her anchor. She loved her with all her heart, and she cherished you too, Ms. Faye. She looked up to you as family—as the older sister she never had. Lingling never wanted any harm to come to Film, and what happened… it wasn’t something she could control. It was a cruel twist of fate.”
Faye’s jaw tightened, and she shook her head, her eyes flashing with anger. “And what? I’m supposed to just forgive her? Let her walk free of this guilt? While my sister lies dead because of her? No, I refuse to let her off so easily.”
Orm’s voice softened, filled with a desperate sincerity. “Ms. Faye, Lingling isn’t asking for forgiveness. She’s punishing herself every single day, convinced that she’s cursed, that she’s a burden. She’s sinking deeper into her own darkness because she thinks she deserves to be alone. She won’t let herself heal… not until you, her family, acknowledge her pain.”
Faye’s expression flickered with a trace of vulnerability, her façade of anger cracking slightly. She glanced away, her hands clenching and unclenching on the desk. “Why should I care if she’s drowning in guilt? It doesn’t change anything.”
Orm took a step closer, her voice soft but insistent. “Because, Ms. Faye, Film wouldn’t want this. She wouldn’t want Lingling, the woman she loved with all her heart, to live in agony. You know that as well as I do. Lingling won’t find peace until she’s made things right with you. She needs you, and she needs help… someone to stand by her. And if we all turn away… she may never find a way out.”
Orm’s voice shook with emotion as she went on, “I love her, Ms. Faye. I want to help her heal. But she’s holding onto this pain, this guilt, because she feels she can never make it right with you. And until you two sit down and face this together, she’ll always be haunted by what happened. She’ll never truly live again. Please… help her find a way forward, for both her and Film.”
A tense silence filled the room as Faye’s defenses began to crumble. She took a shaky breath, her gaze softening as the weight of Orm’s words sank in. Her lips trembled, and she finally looked up, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“Maybe… maybe you’re right,” she murmured. “For Film’s sake, I’ll try. I’ll try to let go… little by little. She would want that, wouldn’t she? For me to let go of this bitterness.” Faye’s voice softened even more, almost a whisper. “And I don’t know how I forgot… but Lingling was like a sister to me, too. I once loved her as much as I loved Film. Maybe it’s time I start remembering that.”
Orm’s eyes brightened with relief, sensing that she’d finally reached Faye. “Thank you, Ms. Faye. This means more to her than you know.”
Faye gave a small, reluctant nod, her gaze distant yet resolute. "We’ll go together then. I won’t make promises… but I’ll listen. And maybe—just maybe—I can find a way to help her let go of this pain. For Film and her"
Knock.
"Come in," Lingling's voice rang from her cabin, absorbed in her work. The door creaked open, and Orm and Faye stepped inside. They stood silently in front of her desk, the air heavy with anticipation.
Lingling glanced up, startled. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she saw who was standing there. The words escaped her lips, almost a whisper, as if unsure if she was dreaming.
"Phi..." Lingling’s voice faltered as she saw Faye, her face a mixture of surprise and pain. She couldn’t believe her eyes. After so long, here was Faye—her beloved sister-in-law, standing before her after everything that had happened.
Orm stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm. “PLing...Ms. Faye has something she wants to say to you.”
Lingling’s heart raced, her emotions swirling in a chaotic storm. She hadn’t expected this. She hadn’t imagined that Faye would ever willingly come to see her again. Slowly, Lingling stood up, her knees shaking slightly, as if she might collapse from the weight of the moment.
Faye’s gaze was steady, though tinged with a quiet sorrow. She opened her mouth, but her voice was thick with emotion as she spoke. “Ling… I’ve been angry for so long. I blamed you, I blamed myself. But… maybe I was wrong. Maybe we’ve both been carrying this pain alone for far too long.”
Lingling’s breath caught in her throat. The pain she had lived with—thinking she had lost Faye forever—began to fade, replaced by a glimmer of hope.
Faye took a deep breath and stepped closer to her. “I’ve hated the distance between us, but I couldn’t face you until I realized that holding onto this anger only hurt me more. And that’s not what Film would have wanted. I want us to heal, Lingling.”
Tears began to well up in Lingling’s eyes. She didn’t know what to say—she had been waiting for this moment, but it felt unreal. She took a step forward, her voice trembling as she whispered, “Phi… I am so sorry. I never wanted this. I never wanted to hurt you, or Film. I… I don’t know how to carry this guilt anymore. I’ve punished myself for too long.”
Faye’s eyes softened. She reached out and pulled Lingling into a tight embrace, her arms wrapping around her with the same care they always had. “I’m sorry too, Lingling,” she murmured, her voice breaking. “I should have never pushed you away. I should have realized that you were hurting just as much as I was.”
Lingling clung to Faye, her tears soaking into her shoulder as she whispered brokenly, “I need your forgiveness Phi, I don’t know how to move forward without it'
Faye held her tighter, letting the silence speak for them for a moment before finally speaking, her voice steady but full of warmth. “We’ll move forward together, Lingling. It’s time we stop letting the past control us. We can’t bring Film back, but we can honor her by living. By letting go of the pain. By healing.”
Lingling pulled back slightly, looking at Faye with a mixture of gratitude and disbelief. “You’ll forgive me? Truly?”
Faye smiled softly, her eyes full of tears. “I already have. It’s time for us to start fresh. You’re not alone anymore, Lingling. You have me, and Orm, and we’ll help you find your way again.”
Orm, who had been standing quietly by, smiled gently at the reunion unfolding before her. She had known this moment was crucial, but seeing Faye and Lingling finally breaking down their walls of grief and pain brought a sense of relief she hadn’t realized she needed.
Faye stepped back and took a deep breath. “I’ve been holding on to my anger for too long, but I’m ready to let it go. And I hope you can do the same, Lingling. We all have to move on. Life… life doesn’t wait for us to heal. But we can still choose to live it.”
Lingling nodded, tears still streaming down her face. “I’ll try, Phi. I promise, I’ll try to move forward. I’ll try to forget the past and embrace what’s ahead.”
Faye smiled, her eyes warm. “That’s all we can do. And I’ll be here for you. For both of you.”
As the three of them stood there, united in their grief and their hope, the air seemed to shift. The heaviness that had plagued them all for so long finally began to lift, and they knew that, together, they would find a way to move forward.
Lingling looked at Orm, then back at Faye, and nodded, a small but significant step toward healing.
10 years later...
"Did you take ownership of the entire road? Call your boss out, I'll teach them how to drive properly on this road!"
Now, years later, Orm and Lingling stood together, watching their five-year-old daughter, who was playing in the garden with their dog, Uni. The child had made Uni sit in the driver’s seat of their toy car, role-playing as a driver while she, in turn, pretended to be the angry girl, scolding him in a playful tone.
Lingling and Orm exchanged surprised and amused glances as they heard the same words their daughter had just said. Lingling, lost in thought, reflected on the day when Orm first spoke those very words for her, and how that moment had marked the beginning of their journey together.
Orm turned to Lingling with a soft, loving smile. "Remember?" and she giggled
Lingling nodded, her heart full. "How could I forget? And now our little one is saying it."
Lingling took Orm’s hand, her heart overflowing with gratitude. "I’m so grateful to you and for this life we’ve built, my love"
Orm kissed Lingling softly on the lips.
Lingling smiled, brushing her lips gently against Orm’s forehead and said...