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I've always seen love as a natural right that everyone must have. It was something so pure and good and everything I've ever desired. I never wanted to seek it out so desperately. I knew that when the time came, love would come find me. At least, that's how I saw love treating everyone else around me. It made it so easy for people to find their soulmates. Sure, love also made it so you'd have to struggle in order to find them first. But, even struggling with someone sounded better than being alone. That's what we've all been told at a young age. Because in this world we live in, people die without love. Only some of us are lucky enough to survive with the people we've been assigned with. It's kind of cruel when you think of it. People have no say in who they want. Love let's us mindlessly break our own hearts as we're forced into their plan. And if we don't obey, we die because of it. Yet, I still have no gripes against love. Perhaps because I've filled my mind up with romantic scenarios that only love could carry out. And a part of me was relieved that love would let me know when I finally found the one. That's why I put so much faith into it. That's why I'm letting myself dwindle down the seconds until my soulmate comes to me. Because that's how love should be. Something that comes to you naturally. And as long as I can give love back to the world, I see no reason as to why the world can't love me back.

But, it's hard waiting. It's hard waiting for a surprise especially when there's so much at stake. I'm risking my life just hoping that my soulmate is somewhere out there, actively seeking for me. I wonder who they could be. Did the world want me to be with someone handsome? Someone who's kind and romantic? Someone who will make me forget all my years of loneliness? Whoever it is, I just hope they won't be disappointed if they're stuck with me.

I snapped out of my thoughts as my heart beat quickened. I was getting too excited just by the idea of finding my soulmate. I mean, I've waited all these years for them to come. I hope it'll all be worth the wait.

My phone began to ring and I saw that it was my best friend, Nari, who was calling. I was so jealous of her. She had already found her love.

"Hello?" I spoke into the phone.

"Aera? Are you okay?" Her voice was panicked for some reason.

"Of course I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be?" I asked, confused.

"Have you been showing any weird symptoms?"

"Everything is fine, Nari."

"I'm getting worried for you. You know your birthday is coming up soon. You have to find your soulmate before it's too late."

"Relax, they'll come find me in time. I don't want to force something if it's already meant to be."

"But, how will you know? Aren't you a little worried that they won't come?"

I paused for a moment. Of course I was afraid, but I had to have full faith in destiny.

"As long as they find me before the clock strikes 12, I'll be fine."

"Well, just in case, let me take you to a psychic so they can let you know how and when you'll meet them."

"No, I already told you that I wanted to be surprised."

"Aera, please. Just go for me, okay? I can't live with the idea that you could die just because you're waiting on someone."

I sighed but finally agreed. I couldn't stand to see my best friend in such agony. She came to pick me up but the car ride was silent. The both of us were nervous to see the outcome.

When we got there, the room was dim and my body became tense. I wanted to run back to the car, too scared to learn anything about my soulmate.

"Hello, darling," the psychic cooed as she gestured for me to come forward. Nari pushed me towards her and she immediately grabbed my hands to inspect them.