If Only..| LingOrm

Chapter 5: A Question Left Unanswered

Orm had always been surrounded by admirers. With her easygoing charm and silver tongue, she had a way of making people feel special. It wasn't surprising that girls from different faculties often found excuses to approach her—some asking for help, others just looking for an opportunity to flirt.

Ling never used to care. She had always brushed off Orm's antics, convinced that none of it had anything to do with her. But now, every time she saw a girl leaning too close, touching Orm's arm, or giggling at her words, an unfamiliar feeling twisted in her chest.

"Ugh, can she be any more obvious?" Ling muttered under her breath as she watched a girl from the Arts faculty laughing a little too enthusiastically at whatever nonsense Orm was saying.

Kate raised an eyebrow. "Are you seriously bothered by that?"

Mint smirked, nudging Ling playfully. "Someone's jealous~"

"I am NOT jealous!" Ling snapped, a little too quickly.

Kate and Mint exchanged knowing looks, but before they could tease her further, Orm suddenly appeared behind them.

"Thinking about me, sweetheart?" Orm grinned, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Ling rolled her eyes. "Not even in my nightmares."

Orm placed a hand on her chest, feigning hurt. "Ouch. And here I was, about to ask you a very important question."

Ling narrowed her eyes. "What question?"

Orm hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "Ling, will you be my girlfriend?"

Silence.

Kate and Mint gawked at Orm as if she had lost her mind, while Ling stood frozen, completely caught off guard.

"What...?" she finally managed to say.

Orm rubbed the back of her neck, uncharacteristically nervous. "I know you're straight. I know I probably don't stand a chance. But I really like you, and I'm willing to wait."

Ling's heart pounded in her chest. She wanted to say something—anything—but the words wouldn't come out.

Mint scoffed. "You're joking, right? Ling isn't interested in you, Orm."

Orm chuckled, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "That's for Ling to decide."

Ling clenched her fists. Why did she feel so conflicted? This was exactly what she had been telling herself from the start—Orm was just playing games. So why did it feel so different now?

"I..." Ling opened her mouth, but no answer came.

Orm gave her a small smile. "It's okay. You don't have to answer now. I'll wait."

Before Ling could respond, Orm walked away, leaving her standing there with her emotions in complete turmoil.

Later that evening, Orm sat with Jane and Anya at their usual hangout spot.

Jane leaned forward, her expression serious. "So? What's the status of the bet?"

Anya smirked. "You've made some serious progress, huh? Ling didn't throw her drink at you today, at least."

Orm tensed. The bet. She had almost forgotten about it.

She wanted to tell them she was done with it—that Ling wasn't just some challenge anymore. But the words wouldn't come out.

Jane noticed her hesitation. "Orm...?"

Orm forced a grin. "Relax, guys. I've got everything under control."

Anya laughed. "Good. We're counting on you to win us that money!"

Orm chuckled along, but inside, she felt sick.

Because for the first time, she realized—this wasn't a game to her anymore.

That night, Orm lay on the couch at home, her mother, Mrs. Ariya, sitting beside her. The living room was dimly lit, casting soft shadows around them.

"You're quiet today," Mrs. Ariya observed, running her fingers gently through Orm's hair like she used to when Orm was a child.

Orm hesitated before speaking. "Mom... if you knew you didn't have much time left, what would you do?"

Mrs. Ariya stiffened slightly, her hands pausing for just a second before she resumed stroking Orm's hair. "I'd spend every moment doing the things I love, with the people I love."

Orm swallowed the lump in her throat. "I went to the hospital again today."

Her mother's hand stilled. "And...?"

Orm turned away, staring at the ceiling. "Stage three."

Silence filled the room. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then, Mrs. Ariya took a deep breath and pulled Orm into a tight embrace.

"We'll fight this. No matter what happens, you're not alone, Orm."

Orm's chest ached at her mother's warmth. She had tried so hard to act like everything was normal, to keep up her carefree persona—but here, in her mother's arms, she allowed herself to be vulnerable.

"Mom... I like someone," she confessed quietly.

Mrs. Ariya pulled back slightly, studying her daughter's face. "Is it Ling?"

Orm's eyes widened. "How did you—?"

Her mother chuckled softly. "I see the way you talk about her. The way your eyes light up when you mention her name."

Orm sighed, rubbing her hands together. "She's straight, Mom. I don't even know why I'm trying."

Mrs. Ariya cupped her daughter's face gently. "Love isn't about whether it makes sense. It's about what your heart feels. And if she's the one who makes your heart race, then that's something you should cherish."

Orm looked down, her voice barely above a whisper. "What if she never likes me back?"

Mrs. Ariya smiled, pressing a kiss to Orm's forehead. "Then at least you loved her sincerely. That's more than enough."

Orm closed her eyes, leaning into her mother's touch, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on her.

She didn't know what the future held. But for now, she would hold onto whatever time she had left.