Orm’s Return to Bangkok
The bustling noise of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport surrounded Orm as she stepped out into the warm evening air, Emma’s small hand clasped tightly in hers. The weight of the moment pressed heavily on her shoulders. This was the city where everything had started—and ended. Now, she was here to face the remnants of a broken marriage and close the chapter for good.
Emma tugged on her hand, her wide eyes scanning the cityscape. “Mommy, ling?
Orm crouched to Emma’s level, brushing a strand of hair from her daughter’s face. “ling is busy , sweetie. We’re just here for a little while. But I promise, wherever we go, it’ll be our home as long as we’re together.”
Emma nodded solemnly, her trust in her mother unwavering.
Orm had planned to return to Bangkok with Lingling, who insisted on being there for support. But a last-minute emergency at Lingling’s company changed everything.
“I’m so sorry, Orm,” Lingling had said over the phone, her voice filled with regret. “The deal we’ve been working on for months just hit a snag, and I have to be here to sort it out. I tried to reschedule, but it’s too important to delay.”
Orm’s heart sank at the news, but she forced a reassuring tone. “Lingling, it’s okay. I understand. I’ll be fine.”
“But you’re going to face so much there—Paul, the lawyers, everything. I don’t want you to do this alone,” Lingling protested.
“I won’t be alone,” Orm replied softly. “Daniel and Jen are meeting me at the lawyer’s office. And Emma will be with me. You’ve done more than enough for us already, Lingling. Don’t worry.”
Lingling hesitated, then sighed. “Alright. But as soon as this is done, I’m catching the next flight to Bangkok. As soon I finished the work "
---
The Lawyer’s Office
The next morning, Orm sat in the stark, sterile office of her attorney, Emma perched quietly on her lap. The room felt colder than it should, the weight of the paperwork in front of her heavier than it seemed.
Daniel and Jen sat beside her, offering silent support as Orm read through the final documents. Every word felt like a dagger, a reminder of the promises that had been broken, the love that had turned into pain.
The last page awaited her signature. Orm stared at it for a moment, her thoughts drifting back to the day she and Paul had exchanged vows.
“Do you trust me?” Paul had asked, holding her hands tightly in his.
“With all my heart,” Orm had replied without hesitation.
He had smiled then, a smile that promised a lifetime of happiness. “Then let’s make this work. No matter what, we’ll always have each other.”
Orm had believed him. She had trusted that their love would be enough to weather any storm. But love, she now realized, wasn’t enough. It wasn’t a cure-all for their differences, their flaws, or the wounds they inflicted on each other.
Orm blinked back to reality, the pen trembling in her hand. With a deep breath, she signed her name, the final stroke sealing the end of her marriage.
Paul had already signed the papers, her lawyer confirmed. There would be no fight, no dramatic confrontation. Paul had acknowledged his faults, promising Orm’s family that he would stay out of her life and Emma’s for good.
As Orm handed the papers back to her attorney, a strange sense of closure washed over her. It wasn’t relief, not yet. But it was a step forward.
That evening, after settling Emma into bed, Orm stepped out onto the balcony of her brother's house . The city lights of Bangkok stretched out before her, a reminder of the life she had once dreamed of here.
She dialed Lingling’s number, her heart heavy with gratitude and guilt.
Lingling answered on the first ring. “Orm? Is everything okay?”
Orm smiled faintly at the concern in her voice. “Yeah, everything’s fine. I just... I wanted to let you know that it’s done. I signed the papers today. It’s official now.”
There was a pause before Lingling replied. “How are you feeling?”
Orm leaned against the railing, staring out at the skyline. “Honestly? I don’t know. Relieved, I guess. But also... scared. It’s like I’m starting over, but I don’t even know where to begin.”
“You’re strong, Orm,” Lingling said softly. “You’ll figure it out. And you’re not alone. I’m here for you, always.”
Orm’s voice wavered as she continued. “I wanted to thank you, Lingling. For everything. For taking me and Emma in, for giving us a fresh start in Hong Kong. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
“You don’t have to repay me,” Lingling replied gently.
Orm smiled through her tears. “Still, I needed you to know how much it means to me. And... I’m sorry. For everything. For the past, for the way I treated you. I wasn’t mature enough to understand what love really was back then. I thought I knew, but I didn’t. And I hurt you because of it.”
Lingling’s voice was steady. “Orm, the past is the past. What matters is that you’re moving forward now.”
“Thank you,” Orm whispered. “For everything. You’ve done more for me than I deserve.”
___
The familiar buzz of Suvarnabhumi Airport greeted Lingling as she stepped off the plane, her bag slung over her shoulder and a small plush elephant tucked securely under her arm. She had picked it up at the airport gift shop, imagining Emma’s delighted giggles as she handed it to her. It was a simple gesture, but after being apart for a few days, Lingling wanted to make the little girl smile.
Her flight had been rushed—barely time to pack or breathe after finalizing her business deal. But the urgency to return to Bangkok, to be with Orm and Emma, had been a constant ache in her chest. She hated being away, knowing Orm was navigating the weight of her divorce and her past in the city that held so many scars.
Sliding into the backseat of a car ,
Lingling texted Daniel to let him know she was on her way. She leaned her head against the window, watching the city blur past. It was strange, Bangkok was alive and chaotic, a stark contrast to the quiet moments she had shared with Orm in Hong Kong.
Lingling’s thoughts wandered to the last phone call she had with Orm. The tremble in Orm’s voice, the vulnerability she rarely allowed anyone to see, replayed in her mind. Orm had sounded so tired, so lost, yet so determined to move forward.
“She needs me,” Lingling whispered to herself, clutching the toy tighter.
The sun was setting by the time the car pulled up to Daniel and Jen’s house. Lingling stepped out, smoothing her blouse and brushing her hair back, trying to shake off the fatigue from her trip. The plush elephant felt heavier in her hand as she approached the door.
Daniel greeted her with a warm but subdued smile. “Hey, Lingling. You made it.”
“Of course,” Lingling said, stepping inside. “How’s Orm? And Emma? I brought this for her.” She held up the toy, her smile softening.
Daniel’s face faltered for a moment, his expression unreadable. “Uh... let’s sit down first.”
Lingling froze, her instincts immediately telling her something was wrong. “What’s going on, Daniel? Where’s Orm?”
