The Journey Of Us

Chapter 4: The Endless Flirting

After their emotional confrontation and the heartfelt confessions that followed, Lingling and Orm found themselves navigating uncharted emotional waters. Though they had finally admitted their feelings for each other, they hadn't yet defined what those feelings meant. The word girlfriend hung unspoken between them, like a delicate thread. Neither had taken the leap to define their relationship, but their connection had become undeniably deeper.

Their interactions on set had shifted too. What was once strictly professional was now filled with tender, intimate gestures. A hand lingering on a shoulder for just a moment too long, their fingers brushing together as they walked side by side, or Orm's frequent requests to hold Lingling's hand—she had confessed how much comfort Lingling's hands brought her, always so warm and reassuring. And then there was the way Lingling's head naturally found its place on Orm's shoulder, or how Orm's head rested on Lingling's during breaks, as if they had always been meant to fit together. These small gestures, unspoken but full of meaning, were becoming more frequent, more obvious.

Though they still maintained a veneer of professionalism in front of others, their colleagues had started to notice the subtle but significant changes. The once-occasional hand-holding now seemed as natural as breathing. Orm's arm often rested casually over Lingling's shoulders, while Lingling leaned into her touch as though it were second nature. Their quiet conversations had taken on a new tone, their glances lasting just a heartbeat longer, their smiles more intimate, and their laughter more shared. It became hard to ignore how the usually introverted Lingling had started to open up more around Orm, how her eyes softened when she looked at her, or how she smiled whenever Orm laughed.

Their once playful banter had evolved too, now laced with an easy flirtation that left their co-stars and crew alternating between amused and exasperated. Their exchanges, full of teasing and laughter, were punctuated by moments of genuine tenderness. Orm's gaze would linger on Lingling's face longer than before, her admiration clear, while Lingling's eyes would follow Orm's every move, her smile growing softer with each passing second.

Yet, despite the growing closeness, there was an unspoken tension between them—the absence of a clear label gnawing at the edges of their thoughts. They hadn't talked about it, and neither had asked the other if they were ready for something more defined. For the most part, they seemed content to continue as they were, but beneath the surface, both Lingling and Orm wrestled with the question of where this was heading.

That undercurrent of uncertainty surfaced one afternoon in the studio's common area during lunch. As usual, they sat nestled closely together, Orm sneaking bites from Lingling's plate as Lingling swatted playfully at her hand, their laughter filling the space. It was a moment so natural and easy, it caught the attention of Ying, who approached them with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"You two seem to be getting really comfortable," Ying teased, her smirk widening as she plopped down beside them. "So, are we getting an announcement soon, or what?"

Lingling blinked, caught off guard. "Announcement?"

Ying raised her eyebrows, her expression making it clear she thought the answer was obvious. "Yeah, you know, an official girlfriend announcement?" She made air quotes around the word, her playful smirk aimed at Orm. "You can't keep the rest of us hanging forever. We all know something's up."

Orm, ever the jokester, rolled her eyes dramatically, leaning into Ying's teasing. "P'Ying, please. I told you—I'm still taking offers. The line's long, so be patient." She winked, attempting to deflect the seriousness of Ying's comment with humor.

Without missing a beat, Ying swatted Orm playfully on the head. "Your girlfriend is sitting right there," she teased, glancing at Lingling with a knowing look. "You better behave before she gets jealous. I've seen P'Lingling jealous—it's not a good look."

The word girlfriend landed between them like a bomb. Lingling froze, her thoughts spiraling as she glanced at Orm. Her heart clenched at the sight of Orm's cheeks turning a light shade of pink, a mixture of shyness and hope written across her face. Lingling could see the nervousness in Orm's eyes, the silent question lurking there. Was it time? Were they ready to call each other girlfriends? Was she ready to ask Orm?

The truth was, Lingling had been thinking about it. They were so close, and it felt like the next logical step. But something held her back. Orm was still so young, with so much ahead of her. Lingling had once mentioned in an interview that she didn't want to rush Orm into anything too serious, that she wanted her to experience life and meet new people before settling down. Was she now going against that by wanting more? Would asking Orm to be her girlfriend complicate things, or worse, pressure her into something too soon?

Orm, on the other hand, was quietly panicking. Hearing the word girlfriend had sent a shock through her system, making her heart race and her mind whirl. It was something she had wanted for so long—something she dreamed of, but never dared to ask for. She was terrified that Lingling wasn't ready for that kind of commitment, that pushing for more would scare her off. For now, Orm was content with what they had, but hearing the word girlfriend made her realize just how badly she wanted it to be official. She wanted Lingling to be hers. But the fear of ruining what they already had kept her quiet.

Lingling, sensing Orm's sudden quietness, smiled gently and squeezed her hand under the table, a silent reassurance. She could tell Ying's comment had stirred something in Orm, just as it had in her. But for now, neither of them addressed it aloud. They shared a look, one filled with mutual understanding—they weren't ready yet.

Ying, oblivious to the internal turmoil she had sparked, chuckled. "Alright, I'll leave you two alone. Just... don't keep us waiting forever, okay?" She grinned, winking at them both before sauntering off.

As soon as Ying was out of earshot, Orm let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Well, that was... something," she muttered, her face still flushed.

Lingling laughed softly, brushing her thumb over the back of Orm's hand. "She always knows how to stir things up."

Orm nodded, though her mind was still racing. The word girlfriend echoed in her thoughts, making her wonder if they were ready to take that step. Should she ask Lingling? Did Lingling want it as much as she did?

But instead of addressing it directly, they let the moment pass. They didn't need a label—not yet. For now, the touches, the glances, and the quiet understanding between them were enough. But as they returned to their day, both Lingling and Orm couldn't help but wonder: when the time came, who would be brave enough to ask the question first?