Two Tables for Two

Without meaning to, she’d arranged two dates for the same evening.

She didn’t even realise, until one of them pinged her an hour before the date.

Hey, so we’re on for later, right?

And she thought, Who is this?

Oh, shit. It’s Daniel. I’m supposed to meet him, too!

Daniel’s profile pic showed him looking a little nerdy—like Spider-Man nerdy. But they shared a lot of common interests—anime, movies, cosplay.

Okay, she was probably kind of nerdy, too.

But Bryan? Bryan was hot. Like, K-drama oppa hot—complete with smooth skin, abs, and all. At least, that’s how he appears on his profile.

She was surprised Bryan had swiped right on her at all. He was gorgeous, whereas she was the kind of pretty that mums would say was “prettier on the inside”.

She’d been happy to just chat with Daniel without meeting up. But he’d been persistent. Very persistent.

But she’d already imagined what it’d be like dating Bryan. Cue him running after her in the rain, both absolutely soaked, pulling her round to face him.

I can’t live without you, he’d declare. But we can’t, she’d say, turning away.

He’d grab her waist, tilt her face towards his, lower his soft lips onto hers…

Yowza.

So when he finally asked to meet, she pounced on the chance.

**

And that’s how she’d doubled booked herself.

Guess she had a choice to make now.

Or did she?

Maybe… she could meet them both?

She Googled nearby venues… and bingo. Perfect. Two restaurants, just opposite each other. She clapped her hands.

She sent Daniel a text.

Can we meet at Suwa Pancake House instead?
I can’t wait.

Her cheeks flushed, she got up to get ready. This was going to be fun.

**

She’d arrived at Vento & Vino first, right on the dot. Seated at a tiny table for two in a corner inside, she’d ordered a water first while waiting.

Waiters in tails were bustling.
A group of women were sipping burgundy wine, laughing.
Two men in suits were smoking on the outdoor terrace.
A family with a baby was dropping pasta onto the floor.

She reached for her handbag behind her, and the chair… slips.

The fall felt like an eternity. Before she knew it, she was staring up at the bronze light fixture above her.

A man swooped in. A strong muscly arm caught her waist. Their eyes met. Her heart stopped.

Bryan?

Somewhere, violins began playing.

She reached her hand out to touch his face.

Then Bryan disappeared. She was flat on the floor with her feet up in the air.

The loud crash had everyone looking at her, some even leaning over their tables to see what the commotion was. The pasta-dropping baby giggled.

She hastily got up and brushed herself off, her face turning a bright red.

A waitress ran forward. “Miss, are you alright?” She nodded.

As a few of the staff apologised and went to get her a replacement chair, she closed her eyes. She mumbled, “I’ll be back,” and left the restaurant, heading over to the one opposite.

**

She burst into the pancake place, looking around for Daniel. People turned to look at her, seeing a flushed, messy-haired woman, who probably did look like she’d just fallen off a chair.

Pulling up a menu to cover her face, she sat down at the nearest table. She was 15 minutes late, and Daniel wasn’t here yet? He didn’t strike her as the type.

As she ordered another water to wait, she thought of Daniel. He seemed like he’d be sympathetic to hear about her embarrassing spectacle earlier.

He’d pull out her chair. Share dessert.
He’d do laundry. Make porridge when she was sick.

And somehow, they’d be eighty-three, arguing over whose turn it was to walk the dog.

Wait. Was she imagining a life with him? Her cheeks flushed red.

But another 15 minutes went by, with no sign of him. She drummed her fingers on the table.

She wondered if Bryan was there already. Beckoning to a nearby waiter, she said she’d be back.

Over she went, back to the Italian restaurant, where her water and a new chair were waiting for her—but no Bryan.

What’s going on?

She called Bryan—no answer.
She called Daniel—no answer.

She took a deep breath. Maybe just a little while more.

**

Half an hour later, she’d been back to the pancake place, then back to the Italian place.

No sign of either of them. She heaved a huge sigh.

Could they have been missing each other this whole time? Or had they seen her… and left?

As she stared out at the road she’d been crossing back and forth all evening, she laughed.

Then she laughed harder.

A waiter looked over. “Are you okay?”

She wiped her eyes. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

She slung her handbag over her shoulder and got up to leave. “I guess I deserved this.”

As she walked home, her stomach grumbled.

Ugh, great.

She’ll just have to make some instant noodles and watch an episode of K-drama when she gets home.

-THE END-

(C) Copyright Lisa Kwan 2026

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Part of my creative writing project. Had to start the story with this randomly generated first line: 

Without meaning to, she’d arranged two dates for the same evening.