Why Didn't He Call?

CLARA HOW hased down the unaway men including her wn) to get you ome closure.

- Clara How

Two years ago, I met a guy online. A smart, interesting and witty guy who, needless to say, completely charmed me into agreeing to a date. We met on a Sunday afternoon for coffee, which turned into dinner, and later, a walk along Robertson Quay – where, in true romcom fashion, we met and cooed over two adorable pugs called Popcorn and Kernel. At 9pm, some six hours after we first met, I reluctantly made my excuses, because I had some grocery shopping to do. To my surprise, he offered to come along.

The conversation continued to flow, we laughed a lot, and when we finally parted ways at 9.30pm, I went home happy. I definitely had the feels, and if my hunch was on the mark (because seriously, how many first dates last six hours?), so did he.

Turns out I was wrong, because I never heard from him again.

THE ONE-DATE WONDER

I’ve since written this off as “one of those things” in my dating history.

But I’ve always wondered what happened. Was it something I said? Or did I read all the signs wrong and he wasn’t as into me as I thought? Then why did he hang out with me for so many hours?

The Internet assured me I wasn’t alone in my bewilderment.

Over half of 40 Singapore women I polled online said they too have had great first dates turn into vanishing acts. And we’re not talking about a run-of-the-mill meet-up over coffee where pleasantries are exchanged, and the date filed away as average. These women genuinely believed there was mutual attraction, undeniable connection, and that they had perhaps found their happily ever afters.

RUNNING MAN