Behind the Script

Chapter 18: The Idiot

Ling Ling tossed and turned all night, staring at the ceiling as Orm's words kept replaying in her mind: *"Because I like someone else."*

*So there's someone she likes...* Ling Ling thought, turning her pillow over in frustration. *What does it matter? I'm almost thirty, and she's still young. She's at that age where she'll meet a lot of people...*

Then another thought slipped in, uninvited. *Wait, why am I talking like I... want to be with her? Do I actually want Orm to be with me?*

Ling Ling groaned, covering her face with the pillow. She didn't know what she felt. All she knew was that Orm had flipped her entire life upside down, forcing her out of the shell she'd comfortably settled into. And ever since Orm entered her life, Ling Ling couldn't help but worry about her. Every time they were in the same room, her eyes drifted to Orm. *Is she okay? Is she tired? Does she need anything?*

And jealousy—Ling Ling hadn't felt it in years. Her parents had raised her not to be possessive, to share with her younger brother and let things go. *You're the big sister,* they'd say. *You don't need to keep things all to yourself.*

But then there was that fashion show event. Orm had walked out in a fitted blazer with nothing but a bra underneath, oozing confidence, one hand in her pocket. Ling Ling's mouth had gone dry at the sight. But then she noticed a man in the audience ogling Orm with a look that made her skin crawl, and fans were cheering as if they'd been waiting for that exact outfit.

Something snapped. *Mine, mine, mine,* her brain chanted.

*What is this? My inner Fahlada?!* she thought, her face heating up.

Without a second thought, Ling Ling crossed the stage, tugged the blazer closed, and smiled at the fans while muttering a firm, "No." The fans laughed, assuming it was a joke. But Ling Ling's grip was tight. Orm looked up at her, pouting slightly.

Ling Ling forced a smile. "Too sexy, Nong Orm."

Orm gave her a cheeky grin, like she enjoyed testing Ling Ling's patience. At the next event, she even yelled out, "Look, Ling Ling! I'm all covered!"

Ling Ling's eyes widened. Yes, she was "covered," but the dress was sheer! She could clearly see Orm's bra and shorts underneath. As they walked down the line of cameras, Ling Ling held her bag strategically in front of Orm. "No. Still too sexy," she whispered.

People around them laughed, amused. *At least they think it's cute,* Ling Ling thought, trying to mask her own inner struggle.

Back in her bed, Ling Ling tried to untangle her thoughts. What was Orm to her? She cared about her, she knew that much. She'd even flown home early just to see her, feeling a strange emptiness at the idea of Orm being upset with her. It was as if the thought of Orm being distant was unbearable.

*I feel possessive over her. I hate the idea of her liking someone else...*

And the worst part, the part she hadn't yet admitted to herself, was how Orm made her feel. Orm made her happy. Orm made her heart sing. She wasn't sure what to call that.

She laughed bitterly. *So what is she? My sister?* I dont have a sister so is this sister behaviour?

---

Ling Ling and Orm's schedule was relentless—interviews and promotions back to back. One of the biggest interviews was with *Ten Days,* a well-known show. Ling Ling was the steady one, calm and collected, skilled at handling tough questions, while Orm was candid, quick with her reactions. So naturally, Ling Ling was expected to field the harder questions today.

The host leaned in with a grin. "So, Ling Ling, Orm, do you think you could ever become a real couple?"

Orm's face lit up, and she turned to Ling Ling with a playful look. "Oh, am I supposed to answer this?" she teased.

Ling Ling's heart sped up, but she kept her cool. *Deep breath,* she told herself. "Well, right now, I enjoy how we are," she said smoothly. "We're close, we're each other's safe zone. I don't think we could be apart."

Orm, smiling, took Ling Ling's hand and gave it a little squeeze, happy with her answer. Ling Ling felt a warm rush. Then she added, "And, you know, Orm is still young..."

The host raised an eyebrow. "You talk like you're 40, Ling Ling. You're only 29!"

Ling Ling laughed. "No, no, I mean—when I met Orm, she was only 16 or 17. She's still young, and she could meet a lot of people."

Orm's hand tightened around Ling Ling's. Ling Ling glanced at her, and Orm's expression was unreadable, though her grip hinted at something... less than pleased.

After the interview, they were alone in the waiting room, waiting for their team to gather. Ling Ling was scrolling through her phone when Orm walked up. There was a different energy around her—stronger, more intense.

"P'Ling," Orm said, her voice low. She walked up until Ling Ling felt her back press against the wall. Orm was standing so close, boxing her in.

Ling Ling swallowed. "Yes?"

"You meant it, didn't you?" Orm asked. "You actually want me to meet other people?"

Orm's eyes were blazing with frustration, and her voice was a mix of hurt and defiance. Ling Ling had never seen this side of her. She shifted, a little unsteady, but Orm's hands slid to her waist, pinning her against the wall.

"Answer me. Do you?"

Ling Ling's mouth felt dry. "Y-Yes, Orm. I... I mean, you're still young. You could meet someone..."

Orm held her gaze, then looked down at Ling Ling's lips before meeting her eyes again. "So you actually want me to be with someone else?"

Ling Ling's breath hitched as she felt an unexpected pang—one she tried to hide. But Orm saw it, and a small smile tugged at her lips.

"I thought so," Orm said softly. "Next time, don't say things like that, okay, P'Ling? I'll decide who I want to be with."

Ling Ling's heart pounded, her pulse quickening under Orm's hands. She'd never seen Orm so assertive, so completely in control. And her hands—still holding Ling Ling by the waist, her thumbs brushing gently against her sides—were making Ling Ling's head spin.

Ling Ling's gaze drifted to Orm's face, and for a moment, she had an urge to pull her closer, to close the distance between them—

"Orm!" Mae Koy's voice interrupted, breaking the moment. "Are you bullying your P'Ling again? Let her go!"

Orm laughed, glancing over her shoulder. "Mae! I'm not!"

Then she turned back to Ling Ling, her eyes softening. She gave Ling Ling a playful smile and whispered, "P'Ling, you're so beautiful... but also such an idiot."

And with that, she was gone, leaving Ling Ling breathless, her heart racing long after Orm had left the room.