In this world, too many people are lonely. So out of the kindness of my heart I help them. Those who want someone by their side forever get it. Only they never read the fine print.... Forever means just that.

I take great pride in my work on this earth. I really do. And you'd think people would be more grateful for all I accomplish for them. But the sad truth is they're not. No one is ever happy with who they are, or what they get from life, what they look like, or where they came from.

But ingrates aside, I love what I do.

Who am I? I'm Natasmai, matchmaker extraordinaire. For more years than I can count now, I have been putting couples together who craved partnership. Those who'd given up all hope of ever finding their other half. Desperate to no longer be lonely. I fix their problems, but it always comes with a price.

**first published in Vices & Virtues anthology, 2017**