Because of You..| LingOrm

The night of the barbecue went smoothly, just as planned. The warm evening air carried the scent of grilled meat and laughter as everyone enjoyed the feast together. Ling, however, found herself stealing glances at Orm in silence. Her heart clenched with guilt.

How could I hurt this angel? she thought. Why was I so stupid?

Despite her inner turmoil, the night was filled with joy. Jokes were exchanged, stories were shared, and as always, Ling and Sam engaged in their usual playful bickering.

"Hey, Ling, why do you keep looking so serious? Planning your next evil scheme?" Sam teased, nudging her.

Ling scoffed. "If I was, you'd be the first target."

Sam grinned. "Ah, so I am always on your mind."

"More like on my nerves," Ling shot back, earning laughter from the group.

The atmosphere was light-hearted and warm, making it a night to remember. But for Ling, the lingering guilt remained.

After the barbecue, everyone retreated to their respective rooms. Ling hesitated before stepping inside hers. She closed the door behind her, heart pounding as she turned to see Orm folding a blanket neatly on the floor.

Without thinking twice, Ling moved forward and tugged Orm into a tight hug, pressing her face against Orm's shoulder. Orm froze, completely caught off guard.

"Ling?"

"Why didn't you tell me everything about Narin, Orm?" Ling's voice was barely above a whisper. "Why did you let me hurt you? Why, Orm? Why?"

Orm remained silent for a moment before finally answering, voice trembling, "Because I love you, Ling."

A sharp pang shot through Ling's chest. Orm's quiet confession carried the weight of years of unspoken pain. And then, Orm started crying. Her shoulders shook, and Ling felt a lump rise in her throat before her own tears fell freely.

"Orm... I—" Ling choked back a sob, holding Orm even tighter. "I don't deserve you. I've been horrible to you. How can you still—?"

Orm pulled away just enough to look at Ling, her eyes brimming with tears but filled with understanding. "Everyone makes mistakes, Ling. I never once hated you. I always hoped... that maybe.. maybe one day, you'd love me too. But I knew... love isn't something you can force. And if you didn't love me, then I was willing to let you go. Because love isn't about possession, Ling. It's about wanting the person you love to be happy."

Ling shook her head, fresh tears rolling down her face. "Orm, you... you're an angel. You've always been so good to me. And I— I was blind."

Orm gave a sad smile. "Because of you, I'd do anything, Ling. I stayed because I loved you. Your family treated me so well. And I knew deep down, you were a good person too. You just met the wrong one." She gently wiped Ling's tears. "I might've done the same if I were in your position."

Ling clutched Orm's hands. "No. I was awful to you. And I regret it. I don't want to hurt you anymore."

Orm exhaled softly. "Then let's take it step by step. No rush, no pressure. If this doesn't work out, I'll be okay with breaking the engagement."

Ling's grip on Orm tightened. "No. We will try. I want to try, Orm. I want to fix everything."

Orm smiled gently and nodded. "Okay."

For the first time, they would try.

Ling wiped her face, took a deep breath, and pointed at the bed. "Sleep here."

Orm hesitated. "But—"

Ling cut her off in a playful tone. "Now."

Orm blinked at her before sighing and nodding. "Alright, alright."

As they climbed into bed, Ling smirked at the sight of Orm placing a barrier of pillows between them.

"Seriously? A barrier?" she scoffed.

Orm chuckled softly. "Just in case. Small steps, Ling."

Ling rolled her eyes but didn't argue. They lay in silence, lost in their own thoughts. Ling still carried the guilt, while Orm still couldn't believe this moment was real. But for now, this was enough.

The Next Morning

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow over the room. Ling slowly opened her eyes, feeling a strange sense of peace she hadn't felt in a long time. For the first time in forever, she woke up next to Orm without hostility, without pain—just warmth.

She turned to see Orm still curled up, her breathing soft and even. Ling smiled faintly. How could I have been so blind? She sighed quietly before getting up and stretching.

Moments later, the sound of laughter echoed from outside. Sam and Tan were already awake, their voices carrying through the morning air. Ling glanced at Orm, who was now stirring awake. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, neither of them spoke. Then, Orm smiled shyly.

"Morning," Orm murmured.

Ling felt her chest tighten but managed to smile back. "Morning. Let's get ready. It's our last day here."

The group decided to spend their last day at the beach. The waves crashed gently against the shore, and the salty breeze carried the scent of the ocean. It was a perfect day.

Sam and Tan walked along the shoreline, leaving Ling and Orm to settle down on the sand with the others. The two of them still felt shy around each other, uncertain yet hopeful. Ling leaned back on her hands, watching Orm from the corner of her eye.

"So..." Ling started, trying to ease the awkwardness, "how's the puppy I got you the other day?"

Orm's face immediately lit up. "Oh! She's doing great. I named her Chloe. She's so playful and full of energy! Every time I come home, she jumps on me like she hasn't seen me in years. It's adorable."

Ling watched as Orm animatedly talked about Chloe, her eyes shining with joy. Ling's heart clenched at the sight. Even after everything, she still hasn't changed. She's still the same Orm—kind, patient, and full of love.

"She sounds cute," Ling murmured, her gaze softening.

Orm chuckled. "She really is. I think you'd love her too. Thank you Ling!"

Ling didn't respond immediately. She just continued looking at Orm, her mind filled with guilt. No matter how cruel I was to her, Orm never wavered. She never changed. How did I ever deserve her?

As the day continued, they played in the water, built sandcastles, and shared light-hearted moments. Laughter filled the air, and for once, there were no painful memories haunting them—only the present, only the happiness they were trying to rebuild.

Ling wasn't sure what the future held, but at that moment, she knew one thing for certain—she was never going to let Orm suffer alone again.