Chapter Text
“Gosh.” Orm mumbled while massaging her nape as she stood up from her work station. She stretched her neck from side to side, eyes closed. With a deep sigh, she opened her eyes and went to fix her stuff.
“Hey, Orm.”
Orm turned around and saw Prigkhing and Ying approaching. She knew what they were about to say, so she pouted.
“Aww. Why not?” Ying asked. It was a Friday and the three of them along with their other friends made it a tradition to go clubbing.
Orm, putting her things into her bag, answered, “Mom and dad are here in Bangkok so…” She shrugged.
Ying nodded while Prigkhing said, “Too bad. Freen said that cute guy from last week asked about you.” With that, Orm let out a hum. “What's his name again?” She asked Ying, her girlfriend.
“I don't know.” Ying shrugged. She couldn't care less but she didn't like that Prigkhing called him cute, not that it wasn't true.
“Tate.” It was Orm who answered, making Ying chuckle and Prigkhing nudge her arm teasingly. “Not my type.”
“So how did you know his name?” Prigkhing pried. “As far as I know, Kornnaphat Sethratanapong doesn't kiss and remember.” She smirked. Ying could only shake her head while chuckling.
Orm finally finished fixing her things, so she zipped her Dior bag. “We had classes together back in uni.” She answered, but her friend's face remained smug. So, she copied their smirk and raised her brow. “Anyway…if he ever manages to kiss me, then we'll see.” With that, her friends both laughed. And with a smile oozing with confidence, she waved her hand at them. “Bye.”
The couple bid Orm farewell as well. She then went out of their office and into the elevator hall. With less than a minute, the lift opened and she went in. Inside was rather cramped since other employees were also going home. Their building was rented by three different companies—a marketing company where Orm was working, an IT company and an engineering and design firm.
As Orm stood in front, she could hear whispers about her—all good, praises to be exact.
“Isn't she from MGlobal Marketing? She's so pretty. OMG.”
“I know, right? I wonder what skin care products she uses.”
“Right? If I'm that pretty, I will join Ms. Grand.”
Orm smiled subtly. ‘Oh please. I'm not that pretty.’ What a way to boost her ego. Standing tall at 173 cm with shoulder-length wavy ash gray colored hair, milky soft skin, slender figure, model-like facial structure, she was famous among all other employees. Even back at the university, many tried to court her including Tate. Don't get her wrong, he looked dashing himself aside from the fact that he was well-off and fairly smart. But to be honest, it was too obvious that he liked her and Orm didn't like that bit. It wasn't exciting—almost boring. She liked the attention, yes, but that's just it.
After a while, the elevator door opened and so Orm stepped out into the parking lot. She snorted upon hearing someone said she smelled good. She then walked towards her car—jet black metallic Porsche Panamera. Once seated, she read through the messages that she ignored earlier. Another one from someone named “Kite” who she apparently met at the club. She sighed and put her phone down before driving away.
The traffic was bad and it took her about an hour just to get to the restaurant her parents told her to meet. Inside, she was ushered to where the couple was.
“Mommy. Daddy.” Orm smiled brightly. Perhaps, a different personality would shine bright once she was with her family.
“Sweetheart!” Oct stood up and welcomed their daughter with a hug. “How are you?”
“I've been good, dad.” Orm replied with a smile. She also went to hug her mother before sitting down opposite them. “How's your flight?”
“It went smoothly.” Oct answered first but Koy followed up with, “No, it did not. The woman in front of me keeps hanging her arm on the seat like this.” She went to imitate it by throwing her hands in the air. “And she was snoring the whole trip.” She could only shake her head in annoyance.
“OMG.” Orm made a disgusting face and rolled her eyes.
Oct only smiled before calling the waiter in. “Order whatever you like, sweetheart.” And so, while Orm was reading through the menu, he added, “Are you eating well, Orm? You're not starving yourself, are you?”
Orm hummed, still reading. When she didn't hear her father speak, she looked up and smiled. “Of course not. You fill the pantry every month.” With a chuckle, she went back to ordering. “This one please…also…this.”
Oct just eyed their daughter until he felt Koy touch his hand. When he looked at her, he saw her shaking her head. So, he took a deep breath and let out a subtle sigh.
There was a time back in high school when Orm would not eat and when she did, she would force herself to throw up after. They only knew about it when she had a severe tummy ache that they had to rush her to the hospital. Slowly, it was resolved with the help of the therapist and continuously building her health and confidence back. Orm didn't seem to have the same problem now but Oct couldn't help but worry still.
After Orm and Koy placed several orders, the waiter turned to Oct. “For you, sir?”
Oct shook his head. “That would be all for now. Thank you.”
The dinner was pleasant as it always was usually. It was just casual conversations. The couple asked how Orm was doing, her work, if she needed anything. She was their only girl anyway. It was all good until Koy spoke up.
“Oh, by the way, Orm—” Koy started, halting from cutting her stake. “—you remember your Aunty Dew and Aunty Cherry?”
Orm hummed, chewing the piece of steak while cutting another tiny piece. She knew them, of course. They lived in the same neighborhood back in Kalasin. The last time she heard of them about ten years ago, they moved to Hong Kong. She never heard of them after.
“Well…they asked if Lingling could move in with you for a while—”
Orm stopped at the mention of the name.
“—since she got hired by a firm here in Bangkok.”
“Lingling Kwong?” Orm asked, voice firmer but not too obvious.
Oct and Koy nodded. “Yes, I'm glad you still remember her. Weren't you two friends before?” The former asked.
‘Friends?’ Orm could only laugh at the word inside her mind.
No, Lingling was not Orm's friend.
Lingling Kwong was the opposite.
She was a bully.
And she was the reason why Orm despised her old self.
“Well, anyway, we said yes.” Koy said.
Orm's breath hitched—she was perplexed and annoyed. ‘UN—FREAKING-BELIEVABLE!’ Of course, she should have seen it coming. Her parents were close with Dew and Cherry back when they were still in Thailand, and Lingling was their niece. Her parents also had a hard time saying no to people, for some reason as well. But it was infuriating. Her father said something but she was so consumed by an overwhelming irritation that she didn't understand it. The thought of living with Lingling Kwong was already making her blood boil. Despite that, she kept a straight face.
“It's Lingling's first time back in Thailand for fifteen years, and she might need some help to adjust.” Oct added.
‘Who cares?’ Orm fought the urge to roll her eyes. So, she just sighed but she made it a point to not hide her disdain about the idea. “Can I even say no? You pay for my rent so…”
Oct tried to console his daughter then. After Lingling moved to Hong Kong, Orm seemed to have kept talking to the girl through emails but after some time, they stopped. They always thought that maybe they just grew apart because of distance. “It's just for a month or two, sweetheart. Your aunts are just asking you to help Lingling adjust so it wouldn't be that hard on her when she finds her own place.”
“I heard Lingling is happy that she'd see you again.” Koy added this time.
‘I'm not.’ Orm considered the pros and cons. There wasn't really a benefit from that situation but then again, her parents made a decision already and it would just be for two months at most. So, she nodded. “Okay, mom, dad.” She saw her parents smile then. “I'm only doing this ‘coz you already said yes to Aunty Dew and Aunty Cherry…but—”
“Hm?” Koy hummed.
“—just two months and she'll move out already, okay?” Orm had to make it clear somehow. “I need my space and I'm sure tha—she’d want to have privacy too.”
“Yes, of course.” Oct nodded.
“Thank you, Orm. Lingling just needs a little help before she moves to her own place.” Koy said.
It was near 10 o'clock in the evening when Orm finally drove her parents to the hotel they were staying at. Every time they go to Bangkok, they prefer staying at the hotel for some privacy and convenience—both for them and for Orm. They had another property at the other side of the city which they were too lazy to go to, hence they stayed at the nearest decent hotel to the airport.
Due to the aggravating news of Lingling Kwong's arrival, Orm drove straight to the club where her friends were at after dropping her parents off. Thankfully, her black tube top with white hem and black pants partnered with the spare stiletto pumps were club ready. She entered the place buzzing with loud music and cheers with her white blazer in her arm. Eyes were on her as she walked by, not that it was something new for Orm. Perhaps, the way the lights hit her fair skin made it look more radiant.
As she combed through the crowd, Orm finally caught a glimpse of her friends—the couples, Ying and Prigkhing, Engfa and Charlotte, her cousin Faye, and Sonya, Freen and Grace.
“Orm? I thought you wouldn't come?” Ying asked as soon as she saw Orm approaching.
Meanwhile, Freen and Charlotte hollered at her. “Damn!”
“I knew you're hiding a something under that coat.” Prigkhing teased. “Come here, sis!” She patted the spot next to her.
Engfa was fast to pour Orm a shot. “Welcome gift to you, Queen. First shot from this bottle of tequila.” She grinned, now tipsy.
Orm grabbed the shot and drank it in one go.
Sonya and Grace laughed in amusement while Faye could just shake her head.
“Come on. Pour another one! Woah!” Orm said, more like commanded. She was smiling, but deep inside, she was mad—MAD.
Engfa poured the liquor into a line of shot glasses. Everyone grabbed theirs except Ying, Freen and Faye who were the designated drivers for that night. She gave one to Charlotte first before getting her own. “One! Two! Three!”
The sting of the alcohol felt painful against Orm's throat. She pushed the unsettling thoughts that lingered in her mind and just enjoyed the moment. “More! More!” She cheered which was then echoed by Charlotte who seemed to be drunk already.
One shot.
Two shots.
The upbeat club song busted through the speakers.
“I love this song!” Grace announced, which was echoed by Prigkhing. She stood up and motioned to the dance floor. “Come on, guys!” Almost everyone stood up and went to the dance floor including Orm.
It might be late hours but the night was still young.
Parched from dancing, Orm went to the bar and ordered refreshments—mojito. A couple of people from both genders were eyeing her, wanting to approach her. But before they could, Faye appeared beside her cousin.
“Nong, that's your 20th drink for the night.” Faye commented, giving her younger cousin a frown.
Orm chuckled. Among them—her, Faye, Namtan—they had this code, more like an inside joke, of saying 20 instead of saying ‘too much’ or ‘too big’. “You're no fun, Phi.”
“I thought Uncle and Aunty were coming?” Faye shook her head at the bartender when she heard that Orm ordered another drink.
“Yeah. We had dinner.” Orm casually answered, slightly leaning against the counter. The alcohol was starting to kick in.
“Hm?” Faye furrowed her brows. “You okay? Something happened?” Out of the three of them, she was the oldest then Namtan then Orm, so she felt responsible for the two of them while here in Bangkok.
“Well.” Orm straightened her back as if she wasn't tipsy at all. “Do you remember Aunty Dew and Aunty Cherry?”
Faye nodded. How could she forget? She had a crush on Dew growing up.
Orm finally rolled her eyes this time. “How about Lingling Kwong?” She asked, her eyebrow raised.
“Lingling Kwong?” Faye thought about it for a while then it clicked. “That—You had a crush on her before, right?”
“Yeah—NO!” Orm faked a gag. She was disgusted by the idea. “Yuck.”
Faye laughed. “Kidding.”
“Bad joke.” Orm scoffed.
“I remember her. That kid always looked confused as hell.” Faye shook her head, amused. “What about her?”
“Apparently Aunty Dew and Aunty Cherry asked mom and dad if Li—that girl can move in with me for two months since she's moving back to Thailand. Of course, they said yes. My parents can't say no.” Orm said with utmost irritation.
“I thought you two were friends?” Faye asked. Before Orm could react, she added, “I mean after that incident.”
Orm raised her brow and shook her head. “Well I thought so too but nope. That girl is a bully.”
For a split second, Faye saw a glint of an unreadable expression on Orm's face. She only went to Kalasin during summer, so she didn't really know how Orm and Lingling's friendship status was back then, but that was ages ago. But if her cousin said so, she would side with her, of course. “You should've said no.” She said, making Orm look away and shut her eyes. “Anyway, if that girl tries to bully you again then just tell me. We'll kick her out in no time.”
This time, Orm chuckled. “I'll kick her out myself.” She motioned for another glass of mojito to the bartender but Faye was quick to shut it down.
“Nuh-uh. That's twenty.” Faye gave her younger cousin a disapproving look before shaking her head at the bartender. “Enough already for tonight.” She grabbed a couple of bills from her wallet and put it on the counter. “Thanks.” She told the staff.
The bartender, in turn, nodded at Faye. But as he was getting the money, he discreetly glanced at Orm to which her older cousin noticed.
“You're no fun, P'Faye. Since when did you become so boring?” Orm rolled her eyes and rested her chin against her knuckles. To be fair, she wasn't that drunk, at least not yet. She had high tolerance for alcohol and she knew when to stop.
Faye leaned a little forward and bopped Orm's nose, which made her scoff. “You're still my baby cousin.”
“Ugh. Please.” Orm playfully rolled her eyes once again. She was already 27 years old. “I went here to have some fun ‘coz my parents suddenly decided to welcome that bully into my place…and you're here making me more miserable, Phi.” She dramatically sighed.
Faye chuckled. “You're—”
“Oh, hey, Orm.”
Suddenly, someone approached them. Not just someone. It was Tate.
Both Orm and Faye turned to look at him. He really was handsome and Orm liked the idea of him chasing after her, but that was it.
“I was—” Tate was just about to talk when Faye shut him down fast.
“Not tonight, pretty boy, so move over.” Faye motioned for him to go away. Orm was a little tipsy and she didn't like the idea of men, even women, approaching her loved ones while in such a state.
“Oh, I…” Tate's words trailed off. “Alright. Maybe, next time.” He looked at Orm and smiled anyway when their eyes met. “I guess I'll see you around, Orm?”
Orm smirked, humming. She raised her hand and gave him a tiny wave while mouthing ‘bye’.
Faye snorted and shook her head at her cousin as the guy was walking away. “So…that Myron guy, huh?” She said, smirking.
Shrugging her shoulders, Orm gave her cousin a smug smile. “He's fine.” She hopped out of the bar stool then but almost lost balance. Thankfully, her older cousin was fast to catch her.
“Tsk. That's what I'm saying, missy.” Faye sighed but laughed anyway. “Come, I'll drive you home. Give me your keys.”
“I'm fine.” Orm tried to argue but Faye didn't let her. “Aww. Come on, Phi. It's still early.”
“Nope, Nong. You have to go home.” Faye replied, and was flashed with a pout from her younger cousin. She could only shake her head. “Also, I need to fetch Yoko from her shoot.”
With that, Orm's shoulder slumped. “Ugh. That's why you're dragging home this early.” It was past midnight already.
“Yeah. So, give me the keys.” Faye opened her palm and Orm obediently gave it to her from her purse.
“Okay, Phi. You can just take my car. I'll ride with the others home.” Orm again flashed her cousin a radiant smile, hoping it would work.
It didn't.
“I'm responsible for you. Uncle Oct told me to look after you, so you're coming home with me.” Faye said, making Orm roll her eyes.
Orm could only sigh. “Fine.” And so, forced, she followed Faye back to their table to give her own car keys to Freen for the gang to use.
Both cousins seemed to command attention as they walked by towards their car, but it was expected. With the height and faces like theirs, people would definitely look. Upon reaching the vehicle, they both settled inside. Orm seemed to have given up persuading Faye to let her continue to party. Not long after, they started driving.
The ride was quiet except for the random song on the radio—Weirdo by Wim.
Faye was humming to it while tapping her fingers against the steering wheel. They were driving on the expressway and the traffic was light at this hour of the night. Meanwhile, Orm had her eyes closed, admittedly tipsy, but was listening to the song. She thought it was a rather good song.
Weirdo.
A love song.
A song confessing one's love.
It wasn't new to Orm to receive love confessions. But to do the same thing?
Orm opened her eyes and watched the city lights outside the window—almost twinkling like little stars but maybe she was just drunk.
“So when is she coming?” The silence was broken by Faye. Orm only hummed. “Lingling, I mean.” She added, glancing at her cousin.
Orm took a deep breath then breathed out through her lips, not removing her gaze from the road. “Don't know. Don't care.” She replied, uninterested.
Faye only let out a quiet laugh. It must have been something deeper than that rather funny encounter of Orm and Lingling back when they were kids. “Okay, chill. Just asking.” She could only shake her head.
After Faye drove her to her condo building, Orm went straight to her unit. Her cousin told her that she would just book a cab to Yoko's work since they would be using the latter's car anyway. Upon entering, she flipped the lights on.
Orm’s place wasn't that big. It was only a two-bedroom unit. They may be well-off but their family wasn't “rich” rich. Again, she remembered that she would have to welcome Lingling Kwong into her place, making her groan.
“Ugh! I hate it. I hate it. I hate it so much.” Orm stomped her feet towards the bedroom. As soon as her knee hit the edge, she closed her eyes and let herself collapse into her bed. “Why do I have to deal with you again?! Ugh!” She shouted against the pillow. She was well aware that she needed to shower and change clothes first but she was so mad, she felt weak. “Ugh! I should have said no!” She then rolled over, still eyes closed. “Stupid.” She mumbled.
One minute.
‘I should stand up. I need to shower.’ Orm told herself but didn't make a move.
Two.
Three.
‘I don't have any willpower to move anymore.’ Orm groaned once again. ‘This is your fault, Sirilak Kwong! You bi—Fuck! When I see you!’
Four.
Five.
Then, it was the morning after.
Ding-dong!
Wincing, Orm woke up to the sound of her doorbell ringing. Not just once, not twice, but continuously. She glanced at the tiny clock she got from PopMart and saw that it was past 9 o'clock already.
Ding-dong!
Orm then pressed her palm against her chest, feeling uncomfortable in her clothes. Then, she realized that she was still wearing the clothes she had been wearing the night before. She slapped her forehead, scolding herself at how unhygienic it was. “Shit.” Her head was aching.
Ding-dong!
The sound was even making her headache worse. Orm could only groan. It was a Saturday and she wasn't expecting anyone. Unless, it was her parents. “Shit!” Her eyes opened wide and she bolted out of bed as fast as she could. “OMG! Shit!” In haste, she changed her clothes and washed her face with water. “Just a minute!”
Ding-dong!
“Wait please!” Orm was in sheer panic. For sure, her parents would scold her if they saw her in such a state. After making herself decent, she hurried to get the door. Without looking at the peephole, she opened it. “Mom! Dad! Sorry, I was—”
Ding-dong!
“Oh.” Orm's smile vanished like the speed of light.
After so many years, they met again.
Funny, it felt like the first time.
About twenty years ago.
Orm was only seven years old then. She was an only child, so her parents poured all their love for her. Maybe too much. She was rather on the bigger size for her age—she had bangs until her brows, chunky arms and legs, and fluffy cheeks.
It was Wednesday then. Her parents brought her to attend a 100th day memorial for an elder in their neighborhood. There were other kids there. Some she went to school with, others she didn't know. During the ceremony, there was one kid there with a bob cut with bangs sitting behind them. She was one of the kids whom Orm didn't know. Curious, Orm turned around.
It was a wrong move.
As soon as Orm turned to look at the little girl, she saw her puffing her cheeks, imitating Orm's. It was on purpose because the kid was looking directly at her. It made her frown, so she looked back in front.
The ceremony was ongoing then and the monks were in the middle.
Orm knew she shouldn't look again, but for some reason, she did. And just like earlier, the kid puffed her cheeks while staring at her. Again, it made her frown. “Mommy.” Mumbling, she tried to get her mother's attention but Koy just told her to keep silent. When she glanced at the kid again, she was making fun of her cheeks once more. “Mommy.”
“Sweetheart, the ceremony is ongoing.” Koy whispered to Orm.
Orm, now irritated, glared at the kid who was still puffing her cheeks while staring back at her. Fed up, she tugged her mother's clothes. “Mommy, look.”
Koy could only sigh before looking at Orm. She saw her pointing back, so she did too but didn't see anything wrong. People were praying and it was quiet. “Sweetheart, it will be done soon, okay?” She whispered to Orm before looking in front.
Orm couldn't believe it. The moment her mother turned around, the kid's expression turned stoic as if she wasn't making fun of her. But when she looked back again, there she was puffing her cheeks once more.
“N'Orm, hi.”
It wasn't her parents. It was none other than Sirilak Kwong. Just like then, she appeared in front of Orm as if nothing happened. Smiling—a deceitful one, playing innocent.
But just like that time, Orm felt the same intensity of annoyance. “It's you.” She whispered, not sparing Lingling a smile.