Today's Reading
The crowd parts like the Red Sea as she and her husband make their way toward me.
"You made it!" she exclaims.
"I wouldn't miss it for anything," I tell her. "Your vows were beautiful, and you look gorgeous." I gesture to the ballroom. "This is all a dream come true."
"Because of you." She pulls me into a tight embrace.
"She's right. Thanks, Nura." Her husband smiles at me.
The crowd that's been edging ever closer gasps. I've gone from just another of the seven hundred guests here to Nura Khan, matchmaker.
When the couple moves on, I'm quickly encircled.
"I can't believe you're the Nura Khan," a woman in a pink sari says. "I just read the article about you in Vanity Fair."
"Ah," I say neutrally, as though it hasn't been the bane of my existence since it was published last month. "It wasn't about me. It's about—"
"Lena Kamdar raved about you in it. I had no idea you matched Saba and Abid too."
"I use your Piyar app all the time," says another woman, gazing wistfully at the groom in the distance. "Still waiting for my Abid."
"Like she met him on the app," another retorts. "I'm sure she went the VIP route. Good luck affording it. If they even let you in."
I clock their stunned expressions and feel a pang of sympathy. "The app is also very effective. It has the highest success rate on the market," I reassure them. "I'm sure it's only a matter of time."
Excusing myself, I head toward my seat and run into the wedding planner. We embrace and exchange pleasantries.
"Always wonderful to see you," she says. "I can't thank you enough for the referral."
"I had a feeling she'd go with you. You've really outdone yourself tonight."
"Saba was a delight to plan for," she says, her smile shifting to a look of concern. "Tell me, how is your auntie? Is she recovering all right?"
"She's getting better every day," I tell her. "They finally discharged her from physical therapy last week."
"The latest stroke was such a shock. Thank goodness she has you."
"Well, her daughter is also—"
"Yes, yes, Nina's finally deigning to visit. But you're the one keeping it all together, aren't you?" She adjusts her sari and gives me a knowing look. "I remember when you first arrived all those years ago. You were what, ten?"
"Seven."
"Now look at you. Running the entire business. She couldn't have passed things down to a better person. Give her my love?"
I promise her I will. I glance around the wedding hall, missing Khala's presence all the more. Once upon a time, she would have been here with me. Charming everyone. She had a special eye for the people who needed our help the most. We'd have two dozen requests for matchmaking applications before samosas were served.
In the distance, the emcee announces the first dance for the bride and groom. A romantic ballad fills the space. I spot Azar at our table and settle down next to him. He's finally here. And I have to say, my best friend—and pretend fiancé—cleans up nice. No three-day stubble and blue scrubs today. He's in a gray Armani with a cream tie.
"You're late." I elbow him.
"Sorry." He looks at me bashfully. "Got tied up at the ER."
"You've been pulling a lot of long shifts lately. You doing okay?"
"We're just about done wrapping up interviews for the open position. Should be fully staffed by the end of the month. No more late arrivals after that, I promise."
...
