The Flipside

Two women arrived early at the ‘Support Group for Singles’ welcoming party.

They were both strangers to each other

They seated two seats away from each other

But they were here for the same reason

They were tired of love as much as they tired of being by themselves.

As strange as it may sound, that was the requirement to join the group.

After exchanging glances towards each other’s name tag, they started talking.

“I thought I was the only one who showed up early”

“Same here. Didn’t get the memo that the traffic were pretty clear on Sunday. I’m Tasha by the way”

“I’m Abigail. Just call me Abby”

They both chuckled and continued talking,

“So what brings you here, um– Tasha?”,

“Well, I just need a little ‘fun’. Kind of tired of my day to day routines. I’m pretty much curious of what this support group might brings”

“Yeah. I’m hoping this group will light me up a little”, exclaimed Abby

“I guess we’re on the same page aren’t we? A support group rookie”, Tasha giggled for a second as she realized that Abby wasn’t even smiling.

“I’m quite tired of support groups, actually. I feel like I’m being paid to test any kind of support groups available on this planet. So I’m hoping this one suits me well”, Abby muttered fast. Tasha could feel a sense of desperation in her voice.

“Good on you. May this one gives you the kind of company you need”, said Tasha.

“But I don’t know exactly what I need. It’s not like I’m completely on my own. I had a one year old baby and I’m married to my high school sweetheart. Never once in my life I spend a single day without them—“ , she exhaled and deliberately continued,

“But here I am buzzing around support groups on weekend to find contentment”.

If only Tasha could raise her eye brows discreetly without the need to disappoint Abby, she would certainly do it. Because she found it confusing to find a married woman who needed ‘support’ from people who were completely on their own.

“What about you?”, asked Abby

“I’m single. My ex-fiancé dumped me 3 months ago. I was down in the dump for months—“

“Ugh that must be devastating! I can’t imagine living all by myself!”, Abby interrupted

“Yeah but I get used to it and started to enjoy my own company. I surely fed up with love and all that jazz, but I’m at the point where I don’t need to be saved”, Tasha boldly exclaimed.

“Then why are you here?”, asked Abby

“I should’ve asked you that”, Giggled Tasha.

Abby responded with a shrug as she’s both confused and amazed with Tasha’s statement. She had never met a single women being so content with herself who joined a support group but doesn’t feel the need to be saved.

“I guess we’re both in the same state but different situation, huh?”, asked Tasha

“Maybe. Well I hope we get to find the company or the things we need today”, replied Abby.

Tasha giggled and exclaimed, “To me, is to find the fun that I might need”.

The two women were no longer strangers

They realized they were not here for the same reason

They realized that they’re not even in the same situation

But they’ve failed to realize,

That one’s state of being without anything or anyone else can be easily misinterpreted with a distressful state of lonesome.

And one can appear without the other or both appear simultaneously.

At least that’s what society have made them believe.