SINGAPORE:

In a bewildering tale of modern dating, a woman has shared her distressing experience of what she describes as a particularly extreme form of "ghosting." After she was informed that her date had perished in a tragic accident, she unexpectedly spotted him alive and well just days later, raising numerous eyebrows and questions from the online community.

The woman, who posted her story on NUSWhispers on March 14, detailed her short romance with a man known only as “M,” whom she met on the Coffee Meets Bagel dating app in November 2024. After connecting and going on several dates, things took a turn when M confided about a fight with his mother, prompting the woman to offer emotional support.

On December 30, M’s usual communication abruptly ceased, and by January 3, her anxiety grew as his social media activity disappeared completely. Finally, she received the shocking news from M's mother that he had tragically died in an accident. Devastated by the news—especially considering M was only 34 years old—the woman mourned his passing deeply.

However, the plot thickened on January 15. While running errands for Chinese New Year with her brother, a misadventure took them to Ang Mo Kio (AMK), where she serendipitously spotted M in a mall. Reacting quickly, she approached him, only to be met with indifference as he turned and walked away without acknowledgment.

The incident raised eyebrows and sparked debates on social media. Users speculated on M's motives for faking his death as a cowardly way to end their relationship, with comments ranging from humor—“Bro didn’t know he didn’t have to actually become a ghost!”—to outright condemnation of his behavior.

The woman reflected on the bizarre encounter in her post, musing, “Funny how he would choose to play dead instead of just saying he wasn’t interested. I could have handled that.” She concluded her post with a warning to other women to be cautious in their online dating pursuits.

While the story has garnered laughter, it has also drawn severe criticism towards M, highlighting his immaturity and lack of courage. As the story gained traction, some even speculated the possibility of mistaken identity—suggesting he might have had a twin or was a doppelganger due to his strange reaction.

This strange saga serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of modern dating and the unexpected turns it can take, especially in the digitally-driven world we live in today. Stay vigilant out there; you never know who you might encounter!