WHISPERS OF LINGORM : A One-Shot Anthology - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Around 5 PM in the evening, when Ling arrived home, she noticed some preparations going on. The servants seemed unusually busy with extra tasks. As Ling was walking through the hall, her mom approached her.
"So, you’re finally here! Didn’t I tell you to meet me after your treatment? Where did you disappear to? Did you think you could escape me? You had to come home eventually, didn’t you, dear?"
Ling gave her mom a cute, sheepish smile with puppy eyes. Her mom rolled her eyes and said, “Don’t try to act innocent. Now tell me, why did you get into a fight?”
In a small, adorable voice, Ling replied, "Well… some boys were harassing a girl who was trying to study. They were too many for her to handle alone, so I just helped her out by beating them up."
Her mom sighed, a mix of pride and worry crossing her face as she listened. While she felt proud of her daughter’s sense of justice, she was concerned about the injuries Ling had received. “But you should have reported it to the office staff or principal instead.”
Ling shrugged and replied, "Who has the patience to look at that old principal’s face, Mom? Besides, justice should be served immediately, and I made sure it was.”
Her mom chuckled and said, "You should’ve taken up law instead of medicine. Or maybe you think you’re some divine goddess, ready to deliver instant justice?"
Ling leaned in, gave her mom a quick peck on the cheek, and cheekily said, "I’m the daughter of a goddess."
Her mom chuckled and gently patted her head. Then Ling asked, "Mom, what’s all this preparation for?"
Her mom replied, "We’re expecting some guests for dinner."
Ling sighed dramatically and said, "Ugh, another boring dinner? And I’ll have to sit through it, right? Who’s coming this time? Some boring uncle ready to explain medical terms and their equally boring kids?"
Her mom gave her a pointed look and said, "That’s no way to talk, kiddo and no, it’s not colleagues. My friend and her family are coming.”
Ling tilted her head, trying to recall. “Hmm, your friend? I thought I already knew all your friends. Who is it this time? Just tell me there aren’t any little kids coming.”
Her mom chuckled and shook her head. “You really don’t like kids, do you? No kids this time. She’s bringing her daughter—26 years old. You’ve already met her.”
Ling looked confused. “I’ve met her? When? Who, Mom?”
Her mom replied, "Dr. Orm, the one who treated you today."
Ling’s eyes widened in shock and excitement as she exclaimed, “Whatttt? She’s your friend’s daughter?”
Her mom asked, “Huh? Why are you so shocked?”
Ling tried to compose herself and said, “N-nothing. It’s just… um…” She was at a loss for words, her mind racing. She thought about how she had flirted with Orm earlier that day. Now she was worried about what might happen if Orm mentioned anything to her family. At the same time, she was thrilled to know that the girl she was falling for at first sight was her mom’s friend’s daughter.
Realizing she would meet Orm again soon, Ling couldn’t hide her excitement but didn’t know what to say to her mom. So, she quickly blurted, “Umm… I should get ready for dinner. It wouldn’t look good if I showed up late. And I need to wear something nice… Yes, Mom, I’ll go get ready now!”
Before her mom could respond, Ling dashed off to her room.
Her mom stood there, puzzled. “Huh? What’s gotten into her? Dinner’s still hours away, and since when did she get excited for dinner guests? Crazy girl” Shaking her head with a laugh, she went off to oversee the arrangements.
The dining room buzzed with a warm, welcoming atmosphere as Koy and her family arrived at kwong's residence. The house was beautifully arranged, the dining table adorned with elegant silverware and a lavish spread. Ling stood near her mother, her usual confident demeanor intact, though her heartbeat quickened when her eyes fell on Orm stepping inside. Orm looked stunning yet composed, her presence instantly grounding the room.
Somjai greeted Koy with a hug, their years of friendship evident in their warmth. “Koy, it’s been too long!” Somjai exclaimed.
“It really has,” Koy replied, smiling brightly. Their laughter filled the room as introductions were made, though Ling and Orm didn’t need one. Their brief but unforgettable meeting earlier was enough to etch each other into their memories. Ling offered a playful smirk, and Orm, though seemingly unaffected, felt a subtle flutter within.
Orm turned toward Ling and, leaning slightly as she slid into the seat beside her, whispered softly, “Well... surprise?”
Ling raised a brow, her lips curving into an amused smile. “Indeed!” Her tone was teasing, but her gaze held something deeper, something Orm could almost feel.
The dinner commenced with stories and laughter, the two families reminiscing about their shared past. Ling occasionally chimed in with sharp wit, earning a few chuckles, while Orm’s reserved yet thoughtful comments balanced the energy. The conversation flowed effortlessly, until Koy shifted the focus to Ling.
“Lingling dear” Koy began, her voice kind but curious, “I couldn’t help but notice the injury on your hand. How did that happen?”
Ling hesitated, glancing at Orm briefly. Before she could answer, Orm spoke up, her tone light but with a playful edge. “She was busy saving a tiger.”
The entire table fell silent for a split second before erupting into laughter—everyone except Ling, who had just taken a sip of water, choked on hearing Orm's words.
Orm instantly leaned closer, her hand gently patting Ling’s back. “Oh no, I’m so sorry! Are you okay?” she asked, her voice soft and genuinely concerned. Ling coughed a few more times before catching her breath, their faces now just inches apart.
Their eyes met, and the air between them shifted. Time seemed to slow as they gazed at each other, an unspoken connection sparking between them. Ling’s heart whispered, "This feels... right, but why does it feel so intense?" At the same time, Orm’s mind raced, thinking, "Why can’t I look away? What is this?"
Breaking the moment, Ling smirked, leaning slightly closer to Orm and lowering her voice so only she could hear. "Next time, at least warn me before trying to kill me with your humor, you’re far too good at making my heart race, P'mor"
Orm’s cheeks flushed a deep pink, betraying her otherwise composed exterior. She quickly rolled her eyes to mask her embarrassment and muttered, “Don’t be dramatic.” But even as she tried to dismiss Ling’s words, she felt a warmth spreading through her chest that she couldn’t quite ignore.
Ling noticed the faint blush on Orm’s face and couldn’t hide her satisfaction. Her lips curved into a smug yet soft smile, one that spoke volumes without saying a word.
Next day at hospital, Orm’s day had been a whirlwind. The emergency case she handled earlier had been a challenging one—a patient in critical condition following severe trauma. She had performed an emergency thoracotomy to stabilize a ruptured blood vessel, coordinated with the anesthesiologist for optimal sedation, and ensured the patient was prepped for intensive care. It had been intense, but as always, Orm managed it with precision and focus.
Finally, with the adrenaline subsiding, she returned to her cabin, hoping for a moment of respite before her next meeting. As she opened the door, she stopped in her tracks.
There, sitting comfortably on the patient chair, was Ling. The sound of the door opening caught Ling’s attention, and she swiveled in the chair, her face lighting up with a playful smile. “Good morning, P’Mor,” she greeted casually.
Orm blinked, clearly surprised. “You? Here? Why?” she asked, her tone calm but tinged with curiosity. Even though she maintained her professional demeanor, there was something about Ling’s presence that brought a strange sense of warmth.
Ling, unfazed, made an exaggeratedly cute puppy face, lifting her left hand to reveal a small cut on her index finger. A faint streak of blood was visible, and she pointed at it with mock drama. “I got hurt, P’Mor. I came here for treatment,” she said in a sweet, childlike tone.
Orm rolled her eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh as she moved toward her desk. “This tiny cut could’ve been taken care of with a band-aid. There was no need to come all the way here for this,” she replied, pulling out her first-aid kit.
Ling responded immediately, her expression completely unapologetic. “I didn’t have a band-aid,” she said, tilting her head with feigned innocence.
Orm gave her a skeptical look. “Are you serious? A medical student coming straight from medical college doesn’t have a band-aid?”
Ling’s eyes sparkled as she grinned. “Not one touched by your hands, P’Mor. Without that, my wound wouldn’t heal,” she said, her tone dripping with sincerity.
Orm paused mid-motion, her gaze shifting to Ling, who sat there unabashedly smiling. For a fleeting moment, Orm felt her composure waver. Shaking her head with a soft chuckle, she muttered, “Silly,” and pulled her chair closer.
Taking Ling’s hand gently, she began cleaning the tiny wound with antiseptic. Ling didn’t flinch, her focus entirely on Orm’s face. Meanwhile, Orm avoided meeting Ling’s eyes, trying to suppress the butterflies stirring in her stomach.
“Stop staring,” Orm said softly, without looking up.
“I’m not staring,” Ling replied, her mischievous smile betraying her words. “I’m observing.”
“Observing what?” Orm asked, still focused on the task.
“How focused you look. It’s hot,” Ling said, her voice teasing.
Orm’s hands froze momentarily before she continued, her cheeks warming despite her efforts to stay unaffected. “You’re impossible,” she murmured, keeping her eyes on the bandage.
Ling’s grin only grew as she noticed the faint blush creeping up Orm’s neck.
Orm finished wrapping the bandage with precise movements and looked up at Ling, her expression a mix of sternness and amusement. “All done. Now, leave before I charge you for wasting my time,” she said, her tone mock-serious.
Ling, unbothered as always, smirked and leaned forward slightly. “Don’t worry, P’Mor. We'll add it to your salary,” she teased, her voice sweetly playful.
Before Orm could respond, Ling reached out, holding Orm’s hand gently. “And by the way, you really do have healing hands,” she added with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Without warning, Ling leaned down and pressed a quick, feather-light peck on the back of Orm’s hand. The sudden touch sent a jolt through Orm, her entire body freezing as she registered what had just happened.
“Bye, P’Mor! See you” Ling called cheerfully as she darted out of the cabin in a flash.
It took Orm a moment to snap out of her shock, her mind replaying the feeling of Ling’s lips brushing against her skin. As the realization fully hit her, she stood up abruptly and called out, “Youuuu…” her voice a mixture of incredulity and frustration.
But Ling was already gone, leaving only the echo of her laughter behind.
Orm sank back into her chair, glancing down at her hand, where the warmth of the peck still lingered. A soft smile tugged at her lips, unbidden and entirely involuntary.
Shaking her head, she muttered to herself, “What is wrong with me?” She clenched her fist as if to trap the lingering sensation and tried to dismiss the surge of feelings swirling inside her.
But no matter how hard she tried, the memory of Ling’s teasing smile—and that fleeting, electrifying touch—stayed with her, a quiet undercurrent she couldn’t ignore.
For nine consecutive days, Ling kept showing up at Orm's cabin with an equally ridiculous excuse for her presence. First, it was a cut on her index finger, then middle one then on her ring finger, and so on, until this playful routine became their new normal. Each day, Ling’s antics were the same—an exaggeratedly innocent expression, a witty remark, and some flirtatious teasing that left Orm flustered yet amused.
Over time, their exchanges grew deeper. Ling and Orm began learning about each other, their casual chats transforming into meaningful conversations. Ling’s mischievousness brought warmth to Orm’s otherwise stoic routine, and Orm’s guarded demeanor started to soften, much to her own surprise. She fought hard to push aside the growing feelings within her, reminding herself to stay composed, but Ling had a way of making it impossible.
Ling’s flirtations weren’t just lighthearted jokes anymore. The way she looked into Orm’s eyes when she spoke—there was an undeniable sincerity behind her words, a weight that hinted her feelings were real. Orm wasn’t blind to it, and as much as she tried to resist, she found herself drawn to Ling’s presence.
Ling, for her part, was completely smitten. Spending time with Orm felt like a dream she never wanted to end. It wasn’t just Orm’s beauty or intelligence that captivated her—it was the way Orm carried herself, the quiet strength beneath her exterior, and the subtle vulnerability she tried so hard to hide. For Ling, every day was an opportunity to inch closer to the woman who had unknowingly stolen her heart.
That evening, Orm returned home, exhausted from a long day at the hospital. Entering the living room, she found her parents seated together, deep in discussion. Curious, she greeted them warmly and sat beside them on the couch.
“What are you two talking about?” she asked with a lighthearted smile.
Her father exchanged a glance with her mother before replying, “We’ve been discussing finding a partner for our princess. We think it’s time for you to settle down. You’ve accomplished so much, but your personal life deserves attention too.”
The smile on Orm’s face faltered, replaced by a blank expression she hoped would hide the turmoil within. She nodded politely, not wanting to upset them, and said, “I think I need to rest. It’s been a long day.”
Without waiting for a response, she excused herself and walked to her room. Her parents, sensing her discomfort, shared an understanding nod but didn’t push the topic further.
Once inside her room, Orm closed the door and leaned against it, exhaling heavily. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. The mention of settling down had stirred something inside her—an unspoken realization about her growing feelings for Ling. But with her parents now actively discussing marriage, she knew she couldn’t avoid confronting her emotions for long.
As she sat on her bed, staring at her hands, her mind wandered to Ling’s playful smiles and the way she made her feel. For the first time, Orm allowed herself to wonder—what if?
The next morning, Orm found herself seated in her best friend—Becky’s cabin instead of her own. Her mood was unusually sour—frustration, confusion, and sleeplessness from the night before weighed heavily on her. She was irritated, not just by the lack of rest, but by the storm of thoughts that had consumed her mind all night. Seeking solace and clarity, she confided in Becky, hoping her friend could help her make sense of everything.
As she recounted everything—the unexpected emotions Ling had awakened in her and the conversation with her parents about finding a partner—Orm felt the weight of her realization hit her once again. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Ling; on the contrary, she now understood that her feelings for Ling ran much deeper than mere liking. She didn’t just enjoy Ling’s presence or find her flirting charming—she is actually in love with her.
This was a startling truth for Orm, who had never entertained ideas of dating or flirting before. Such notions had always annoyed her, and she’d rejected every proposal and romantic advance in her life without a second thought. But Ling was different. From the very first day, Ling had made her feel things she’d never felt before—warmth, excitement, and even vulnerability. And now, these feelings were undeniable, no matter how much she wanted to suppress them.
But happiness at this realization was short-lived. Orm’s thoughts were clouded by the promise she’d made to her father years ago. When she had chosen to pursue medicine over the family business, her father had been supportive of her dreams. Yet, he had asked for one thing in return—that she let him have the final say in choosing her life partner. Orm had agreed back then, knowing her father’s choices always stemmed from love and care. Now, however, she was certain that her father would never approve of a relationship with Ling because she knew her father always preferred a man for her—A businessman.
She couldn’t defy him, not after everything her parents had done for her, not when their happiness mattered so much to her. After pouring her heart out to Becky, Orm made the painful decision to distance herself from Ling. She reasoned that since neither of them had confessed their feelings yet, ending things early would hurt Ling less. Becky, understanding her friend’s plight, reluctantly agreed. Though her heart ached for Orm, she knew this decision might be for the best.
Meanwhile, at the university, Ling was buzzing with excitement. She was preparing to head to the hospital to see Orm again when her friends stopped her, curiosity twinkling in their eyes.
“You’re off to see Dr. Serious again, aren’t you?” one of them teased with a knowing grin.
Ling laughed but didn’t deny it, prompting another friend to join in. “Ling, we have to ask—are you really serious about her? Because if you’re just messing around, that’s not fair to her.”
Their tone turned serious, and Ling paused, considering her words carefully. Then, in a voice that carried both poetry and sincerity, she began to speak.
“Love isn’t something I planned for or even believed could happen so fast. But with Orm... it’s like everything shifted. It's like love at first sight and... All I know is that it’s real. She’s not just someone I like; she’s someone I feel deeply for, in a way I can’t put into simple words. This isn’t a game for me. It never was.”
Her friends looked at her, a mix of awe and happiness lighting up their faces. One of them clapped her shoulder playfully. “Well, look at you, our hopeless romantic idiot. We’re happy for you, Ling. Just don’t screw this up.”
Ling grinned, her heart full as she bid them goodbye. She couldn’t wait to see Orm and spend more time with her.
Back at the hospital, Orm had steeled herself for what she had to do. She convinced herself that pushing Ling away now was the right thing, even if it tore her apart inside. Ling deserved better—someone who could love her without reservations or limits. And Orm couldn’t be that person, no matter how much she wished she could.
“It’s for her own good,” she whispered to herself, trying to ignore the sharp pain in her chest. “The sooner I do this, the less it’ll hurt her.”