A solo Date

An impulsive decision

Stretching her body while shutting down her system, Nila is surrounded by the discussions about the long weekend. While some are planning on going to their hometown to visit their parents, others are discussing going on a romantic date either with their partner or significant other. Do you know what's the perk is of being an orphan and single? You don't have a home, and you have no one waiting for you at your home.

She just laughs at her own fate, walking away from the discussions. As she tries to ignore the stated fact, the whole world is ready to remind her the same. There are people, buzzing, laughing around her. Families happily shop and couples happily eating cakes in the cafes. Every eating spot is full in the surroundings, including her favorite pastry shop. She gives up on the thought of having her favorite cheesecake, lazily moving her body towards her lonely house.

As the jiggling of the keys stops, the door opens, and the small dim light welcomes Nila. She then rushes to the shower to wash away the day's stress, dresses in comfortable pajamas, and then proceeds to scroll on the mobile while laying down on the bed. As the scrolling continued for a few minutes or so she thought, her stomach growled, indicating she was hungry.

To satisfy the hunger, she decides to make instant ramen and keeps the bowl with water on the stove. As the water came to boil, she added the noodle cake and spices came with it and resumed her scrolling, when she came across a post relating to a recently opened restaurant. It was elegant, to say in one word. With the ambiance and the food they served, in the pics, at least, it looked like a high-end one.

As she took the bowl of instant noodles to her room, she then looked up at the restaurant in Google, and the ratings and reviews were very good. Everyone complimented the place, its food and service. She then looks up for the reservation process and proceeds to reserve a table for herself. An impulsive decision, if one must say. But when the payment windo popped up, it came to her mind that it was way out of her league... but she did the payment anyway. Do you know another perk of being an orphan and single? Every penny you earn is yours.

"A solo date..." she smiles to herself at the thought, devouring the now cold noodles.

Nila is 26 years old, working in a marketing company as an associate. While her work is often stressful and pay is not at par, she still works there just because she wants to. She received many other offers from various companies, even from their competitors, offering higher salary and additional perks. She respectfully refused them and continued working in the company just because she wanted to. Well, she might sound conservative, but she goes as per her will, after all, who is there to stop her, right?

The next day begins, and the whole day, she spends slouching on the couch, watching a random series on Netflix. She was like that all day, and a notification changed it.

"Hello. We are contacting from 'Swaad' to confirm your reservation on the table for two. If you would like to confirm, please send 'Yes' and to reject it, please send 'No' and contact the manager for a refund of payment. Hope we see you at the restaurant."

She immediately sends 'Yes' while reading the message halfway, since it's a restaurant that accepts only a certain number of customers per day. "It's definitely premium..." she thinks to herself and proceeds to get herself dressed for the solo date.

When she reached the restaurant, she was warmly welcomed by the staff, when one lady asked for the details of the reservation and escorted her to the table.

"Ma'am this is a table for two. If your companion arrives, we'll start the serving..." The lady informs and leaves the table. The colors on Nila's face leave her as she listens to her words. An add-on? At this time? Who will join her on such short notice?

She just scolded herself for not reading the instructions completely. Her luxury crimson red dress, all the expensive makeup and moreover, the absurd amount she paid just so she can have some food... everything went into vain.