Page 1 of The Matchmaker

Prologue

You still think there’s a way out, don’t you?

I see how your eyes dart around. To that pen on the counter. Your keys. You’re desperate. For something, anything, that might deliver freedom.

Denial is normal. One of the five stages of grief or something, right? But time is of the essence here, so I’m afraid we’re going to need to go ahead and skip to acceptance.

Because sooner or later, you’re going to have to wrap your head around the fact that tonight, Nura Khan, you will die.

Piyar Matchmaking Agency

Client Testimonials

After a decade of trying to find “the one,” I was over it. My friends said I was too picky. Of course I’m picky. What’s wrong with having high standards for the person you’ll spend the rest of your life with? Nura gets it. Within weeks of working together, she introduced me to Dev. And the rest, as they say, is history. We’re getting married this summer. Nura Khan isn’t just a matchmaker, she’s a magician.

—Avani Patel

I’d been on Piyar’s personalized matchmaking agency waitlist for years, and I’m here to tell you it was worth the wait! Piyar doesn’t just help you find the one, they helpyouget yourself in gear too. Once I was ready, Nura introduced me to five people, and as soon as I saw Gavin, I knew he was the one. I don’t know how she does it, but I’m so grateful she does.

—Jonah Voss

I could have found someone on my own, but why? There are only so many hours in the day. Who has time to endlessly swipe apps and have meaningless first dates with people you may not see eye to eye with?Piyarmeans “love,” and that’s what Nura gave me. Saira and I have been married four years now. She’s my best friend, we have two sons, and I couldn’t be happier that I trusted this most important aspect of life to the expert.

—Irfan Mian

My anxiety makes dating a complete minefield. When I met Nura at age thirty-nine, I was at my lowest ebb, convinced it was hopeless to even bother trying—but Nura didn’t blink. I’m about to meet my first match this Saturday, and for the first time I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t met my perfect partner yet, but I couldn’t wait to write a glowing review. Nura is not just your matchmaker, she’s your life fixer. If I could give ten stars, I would.

—Deeba Makhiani

One

The bride beams for the cameras against a backdrop of blood-red roses framing the wedding stage. Her newly minted husband stands by her side in a cream sherwani and matching turban. She’s in a golden lengha, hand-stitched with one thousand and one diamonds that shimmer beneath the lights. One could genuinely mistake them for royalty.

She scans the wedding hall. Every detail has been carefully arranged, from the long-stemmed moth orchid centerpieces to the twelve-layer wedding cake designed by Bontemps’s very own head pâtissière. Her eyes land on mine.

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’retheNura Khan,” a woman in a pink sari says. “I just read the article about you inVanity 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 aboutme. 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.Ifthey even let you in.”

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