It was supposed to be just another boring dinner party. Fay & Jay Limited had never been known for throwing exciting events. To most, the end-of-year all-night party was the highlight of the calendar. But to Debby, it was always the same: cheap jollof rice, loud music, and too many awkward photos. She didn’t even want to go.
And yet, she dressed up anyway.
This time, the theme teased something different: “THE SINGLES MUST MINGLE.” Something about it made her laugh. Now, as her phone buzzed with a message from James, “We’re waiting for you,” she sighed, grabbed her bag, and headed out.
The dinner was held at the rooftop of the main hall which had been transformed into a dimly lit, romance-themed event. String lights hang above, Afrobeats play softly, and guests mingle at candle-lit tables.
James, Janice and Maya sit at one table, whose edges weighted with centerpieces made of plastic roses and fake pearls, eagerly waiting for the arrival of Debby.
Debby spotted James, Janice, and Maya waving her over. As she approached, Maya mock-scowled. “Finally! What took you so long?”
“I’m sorry, guys,” Debby replied, dropping into a classic plastic chair awkwardly dressed in shiny gold satin.
“You look good, Debby,” James said with a smile.
“Thanks honeybunch," Debby replied.
“Obviously ready to mingle,” Janice said with a grin and sipping her Chapman like a princess.
Suddenly, the MC’s voice blasted through the mic. “Ladies and gentlemen! Whether you're in love, out of love, or about to fall in love, welcome to The Singles Must Mingle Dinner Party," he paused dramatically, “you are likely to find your destiny tonight.”
“Destiny? How weird,” Debby muttered to herself as laughter and confusion spread across the air.
As romantic music played in the background making the atmosphere even more soft and dreamy, a waitress began moving around with large trays full of nylon-wrapped small chops. Each pack had a small folded red paper stapled to the top.
“Wow! Another style of packaging small chops,” Maya said as she handed some pack to the rest of her friends and took her own.
James untied his pack. “You can adopt this kind of packaging for your catering event,” he said to Maya who is ready to read what was written in her folded red paper.
“You are likely to meet your worst ex- boyfriend tonight,” Maya read aloud. “Eeww, that guy is a douchebag.”
She glanced at Debby who is already cracking hers open.
“The average in height guy is your man,” Debby read hers.
“Whaaaaaaaaaaaat!” James, Maya and Janice shouted in perfect dramatic harmony causing heads to turn instantly. A few people at nearby tables looked over in alarm.
Debby sat frozen, lips parted. “This must be a mistake. I mean… average?”
Because Debby had always dreamed of marrying a tall, dark, and handsome guy. She had vowed never to marry an average in height guy or even worse, a short guy.
Janice and James exchanged a silent look. Maya noticed and raised an eyebrow. “Wait, you two haven’t read yours.”
Janice cleared her throat. “Honestly, I'm scared.” She raised her paper. “I just feel this small chops paper stuff might be some sort of fortune cookies.”
“Give me that thing, joor,” Maya snatched the paper from her and read aloud, “The one you share your worst moments with…might just be the one for you.”
Everyone turned toward James.
“Uhun?” Janice blinked her eyes.
James peeled his folded paper open. “Your happiest days on earth will be with someone already beside you,” he read.
A silence fell.
“Whaaaoooowww!” Debby and Maya exclaimed.
“I think I'm believing this fortune cookie stuff. You guys are meant for eachother,” Debby said with a bright smile.
James and Janice stared at each other. And then simultaneously burst out laughing.
James began to talk. “Well… I've been planning to pro…pose. I just didn't know how to go about it,” he said as he gave Janice an adorable look.
“You can do it anyhow,” Janice replied.
“That's a green flag,” Maya said and they all burst out laughing.
The music played on, and the event wrapped with a slow dance. James walked his friends to the car.
“Maya!” Someone called.
Maya looked back. “Oh no,” she said with a look of disbelief and marched toward the person.
She later joined her friends after a few minutes. “That was my worst ex. I never believed I could talk to him,” Maya said.
“Another cookie at work,” Janice said and laughed.
They all piled into James's car and the car hummed to life after James inserted the key.
Weeks passed.
Debby spoke to her three friends over a WhatsApp call.
“I'm engaged!” She screamed over the phone. “Can you believe it? I ended up falling for an average-height guy who eventually proposed.”
“Sometimes love doesn’t show up in your type,” James said laughing.
“It shows up in some sort of packaged small chops with a folded red paper in it, acting as a fortune cookie,” Maya said
“Absolutely! Just as I predicted,” Janice added and they all laughed.
The End