Mission Love

One

Aisha

I stood in front of the mirror, clutching the green knee-length dress Dina had picked out for me. Something about it made me hesitate— maybe it was the colour, or perhaps the way it would hug my curves just a bit too snugly.
But tonight wasn't about feeling comfortable; it was about proving a point.

"I can't believe I'm actually doing this," I muttered while slipping into the dress, the cool fabric brushed against my skin.

I smoothed it down, taking a deep breath as my eyes wandered around my bedroom—a small but cosy space I'd made my own since moving out of my parents' house last year. The walls were adorned with photos of friends and family, and the bookshelves were crammed with everything from classic novels to half-finished knitting projects. This was my sanctuary, the place where I could truly be myself.

But tonight, I was stepping out of my comfort zone, all thanks to the silly bet I'd made with that annoying girl next door—that I would definitely find myself a hot boyfriend.
But it was more than just a bet.
My parents were closing in fast with their match-fixing plans.
I had to find my Mr. Right before they could fix me up with a not-so-Mr. Right.

"How do I look?"
I asked, twirling around to show Dina, who was munching on a handful of cookies.

Dina stepped forward immediately chewing thoughtfully on her cookie. She tugged at the sleeves of the dress, smoothing out an invisible wrinkle before patting my shoulder.

"Good. You look approachable."

"Approachable? I want to look irresistible tonight-"

"You look fine as hell."
she interrupted my rant, dusting off some nonexistent lint from my shoulder.
"Trust me, hun, it's your colour."

"It better be."

"Scared?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. She must have noticed my nervous breath or the slight tremor in my voice.

"Not really," I lied, immediately tugging at the hem again.
"I just—what if I make a fool of myself?"

"You won't. And even if you do, who's keeping score? We all make fools of ourselves at one point or another." Dina patted my shoulder like a proud father sending his son off to war.
"Just remember the mission."

I swallowed hard, nodding at her reflection in the mirror.
Right, the mission—
to get myself a date.

It had all seemed like a brilliant idea after the third cup of coffee last week—find a hot guy, before my parents fixed my marriage.
It was a great plan in theory, and made for a fun conversation, but now...
Now, it all felt like a very bad idea.

"We'll hit that party, have some fun, and who knows? You might just meet someone worth your time,"

"Or at least someone who won't make me cringe every time I think about it," I added with a laugh trying to mask my internal turmoil.

"That's the spirit," Dina said, handing me my purse.
"Now, let's go show the world what you're made of."

I forced a smile and took the purse from her.

"Let the mission begin,"
I declared, more to convince myself than anything.

I wasn't sure what the night would bring, but one thing was certain—there was no turning back now.

____

The glossy lips felt like a perfect fit as I sucked the life out of both jelly beans.

I couldn't even tell how I went from single to sucking on a dude's lips, but I'm sure I did some magic-or maybe a fairy fulfilled my wish.