The Story of Us | LingOrm

Chapter 7: A Heart Divided

"This is for all of you," she said, her voice warm with gratitude. "Nong Orm and I want to thank you for the love and support you've shown us throughout this journey. We wouldn't be here without you."

The audience applauded, their adoration palpable in the air.

"So... I don't have any song prepared in advance since this is a surprise to me as well," Ling chuckled, playfully pointing at the host. "But this song is a classic, I'm sure most of you know it."

As Ling's fingers began to pluck the first few chords of "Can't Help Falling in Love," a collective sigh of recognition swept through the crowd. The choice was perfect - a love song that spoke volumes without being too overt.

Ling's voice, when she began to sing, was soft and intimate, as if she was sharing a secret with each person in the audience:

"Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can't help
Falling in love with you..."

Her eyes remained fixed on her fingers moving across the fretboard, but there was an intensity in her gaze that suggested her mind was elsewhere. The emotion in her voice grew with each line, a subtle tremor betraying the depth of feeling behind the words.

As she reached the chorus, Ling's voice gained strength, filling the venue with a warmth that touched everyone present:

"Take my hand
Take my whole life too
For I can't help
Falling in love with you..."

Though she didn't look directly at Orm, there was no doubt in anyone's mind who the song was truly meant for.

Ling's fingers moved across the strings with practiced ease, but there was a tenderness to her playing that went beyond mere technical skill. Each note seemed to carry a piece of her heart, laid bare for all to see.

As she began the final verse, Ling finally allowed herself to glance up at the audience. The sight that greeted her nearly made her voice catch in her throat - thousands of fans swaying gently, hands waving in the air, many with tears in their eyes. The connection between performer and audience was electric, charged with shared emotion.

For the last lines of the song, the entire crowd joined in, their voices blending with Ling's in a powerful chorus:

"For I can't help
Falling in love with you
For I can't help
Falling in love with you..."

As the final chord faded, a hushed silence fell over the arena. For a moment, it seemed as if everyone was holding their breath, caught in the spell of the music. Then, as if a dam had broken, thunderous applause and cheers erupted.

Ling sat still for a moment, visibly moved, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

As for Orm, when Ling's fingers first touched the guitar strings, Orm felt her heart skip a beat. The familiar melody of the song filled the air, and suddenly, the world around her seemed to fade away. All she could see was Ling, all she could hear was her voice.

Orm's breath caught in her throat as Ling began to sing. The soft, tender quality of her voice sent shivers down Orm's spine. Each word seemed to resonate deep within her, as if Ling was singing directly to her soul.

"Wise men say,
Only fools rush in..."

A bittersweet smile played on Orm's lips. How fitting these words were. She had tried so hard to be wise, to keep her growing feelings for Ling in check. But now, listening to this heartfelt performance, she realized the futility of her efforts. She was, indeed, falling - had already fallen - and there was no going back.