‘It’snothinglike your typical matchmaking service where you can just sign up, swipe right and be paired with someone. Unlike most dating services these days, no software is utilised in our matchmaking process. Here, we do it old school, using principles rooted in our cultural traditions where we focus on values, compatibility and long-term commitment. Arranged marriages have had a negative connotation for so long, but they have always been about shared values and personal alignment rather than forcing matches, and here at Eternally Yours, we use that methodology to prove just that. For me, it’sallabout the human connection, which is why it’s important that I don’t leave the romance to computers. I’ve been in the industry for a very long time now and I believe people come to us not only because we’re experienced but because of the care we give to each and every client.’
I nod along eagerly as I pull out the new notebook I got especially for this job, feeling like a bobblehead as I jot her words down, finding comfort in the structure of organising my thoughts on the lined page. ‘So are all your clients South Asian?’
‘We’re open to applications from anyone, no matter where they’re from, and have helped to start many cross-cultural relationships. A genuine human connection knows no geographical boundary and our principles are applicable to any and all ethnicities. Though I will say that the majority of our clients are South Asian – thanks to the power of community and word of mouth.’ She winks at me and I let out a small chuckle. The Auntie gossip grapevine truly is the best marketing tool.
‘Well, we do make up about a quarter of the world’s population so the numbers are in our favour,’ I joke before I can stop myself.
Fortunately, Sadia actually laughs. ‘Any other questions?’
‘Just one more, actually.’ I impatiently tap my pen against my notebook, my body shot with nerves. ‘How are clients selected? I couldn’t see anything on the website about that.’
‘We receive hundreds of applications per week. While it would be financially lucrative to take on more clients, we don’t believe in that. We carefully consider every application we receive, giving it the personal touch and care it deserves, and only then do we choose who we accept,’ Sadia says, folding her hands neatly on her lap. ‘I’m not willing to compromise quality for quantity.’
As I listen to Sadia, I can see why Eternally Yours has become what it is. She truly believes in her business and her clients.
Even so, I realise that she hasn’t actually answered my question. I was kind of hoping she’d list the type of stuff she looks for in applications. Buzzwords, or something. But it’s fine, I’m sure I’ll figure it out in no time.
I have to. It’s the reason I took this job.
I know I shouldn’t have, but a few months ago, when Ma was downstairs cooking and she asked me to send a message from her phone to one of my aunties about when we needed to be at their house, I accidentally saw her latest google search.
As a widow, I might be ready to date again, but how do I know?
I couldn’t believe the words on the screen. It had been three years since Baba had passed away. I thought I would have felt angry seeing the question, upset that she wanted to replace him, but instead it filled me with relief. With me hopefully going off to uni next year, it would make me feel way better knowing that Ma wasn’t all alone.
So I knew I had to help her get back into dating – and in such a way that it wouldn’t put her off forever.
Online dating would be far too overwhelming for her and Iwouldn’t want any creeps hitting on her – she deserves more than that after what she’s been through. No, I knew I had to get her in at Eternally Yours one way or another. Why? Because Sadia Khatun is legendary for finding people’s happy ever after. I tried to figure out what a successful application would look like, but the form on the website was so vague and I’d seen the adverts claiming that only 5% of applications were chosen to join the agency’s books.
So it felt like divine intervention that there was an opening at the agency right when I needed it. I had been looking for a summer job for a while, the pressure to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life creeping up on me, when I saw the temporary personal assistant role listed. I knew I had to go for it. If I become a good enough employee at Eternally Yours, I can put in a good word with Sadia and she’ll take on Mum as a client.
‘It’s also why we’re so selective about who we have on the team,’ Sadia continues. ‘We keep the team intentionally small in order to provide a personalised experience, giving our clients a consistency they might not find elsewhere. With big businesses and corporations, it’s easy for clients to fall in between the cracks, to be passed from person to person and feel as if they aren’t valued by the team that looks after them. But here we have a boutique approach, and that’s what sets us apart from other agencies.’
That tracks with what I’ve read online in the interviews Sadia’s done with various magazines and on talk shows she’s gone on. Still, I start to feel there isn’t enough air in the room. Sadia is clearly successful, and I don’t want to be the person to bring her agency down if I make a misstep this summer. I’m getting paid to be here, after all, and with that comes responsibilities other than my own motivations.
But am I capable of taking on this job? All my life, I’ve never really beengoodat anything. Apart from meticulously planningthings. There really is no rush like turning absolute chaos into order thanks to a schedule I’ve created. But is that enough for this job? On the Eternally Yours socials I’ve seen pictures of clients on big, flashy dates. Can I deliver the same standard to the people I’ll be looking after this summer?
Well, either way, it’s not like I can back out now. Even though I feel my insides twisting up, even though it makes my brain feel scrambled, Ihaveto ace it here.
‘Your role as personal assistant is of great importance, and I’m in desperate need of an excellent PA right now,’ Sadia continues. ‘Summers are particularly busy. With wedding season front and centre, along with more outdoor social events, it can be hard for people to constantly be reminded of how single they are, so it’s only natural that they seek out agencies to help them find the one. Especially with cuffing season in the autumn, people look to the summer to secure companionship for the colder months and the holiday season.’
I’d never considered love to have a seasonal cycle, but it makes sense when she puts it that way.
‘You’ll be helping behind the scenes here at first, getting to grips with how the agency works. That will provide you with an excellent opportunity to learn how to navigate client needs before you get more hands-on experience with setting up events.’
I nod, remembering the job description I was given. Even though Sadia is the boss, she still handles some of the matchmaking, particularly for challenging clients, and so my role is to help her with booking vendors and being on location to make sure the dates are set up correctly, ensuring that everything goes as smoothly as possible for our clients.
‘As one of our younger members of the team,’ Sadia continues, ‘we appreciate that you’ll see the world differently from us elders – you might be able to think of more innovativeactivities that can help bring our couples together. I look forward to hearing your ideas in due course. Any questions for the time being?’
I want to ask her if she’s got any space on her list or even how often she decides to take on new clients, but I know it’s too soon. I’ve barely started my first day! If I want to make this work, then I need to be patient. I need Sadia to trust me. There’s too much riding on this.
‘Are there any other new people starting, or will I be the only one?’ I ask instead. Since I won’t be spending as much time with Shirin and Lipi, it might be nice to make some new friends to spend the work days with.
Sadia looks down at her phone before she answers. ‘Yes, the other new starter should be here soon. That was them messaging just now. They’re running a little late due to traffic, but hopefully they’ll be here within the hour.’
‘What will they be doing?’
‘They’ll be assisting with our socials. Anything else?’
