‘But they don’t seem like a compatible couple to AILENA. She’s actually going through our database of users who’d signed up for the beta test and looking for other compatible matches for both of them. Once she’s successful in doing that, she’ll inform them about it, and then they can move forward with their new matches.’

‘What? Why?’ I’m shocked.

‘I don’t know the exact metrics she’s used to come to this decision, but I trust her algorithms,’ Asmitha says defensively, sounding a little unsure.

‘How long will it take until the first successful match?’ I ask, trying to act composed.

‘I can’t say really, but I hope to find it before our first launch event.’

‘Did you not ask AILENA why she thinks the existing couple is not compatible?’ I’m having a hard time concealing my apprehension now.

‘Oh I did. It seems that on analysing the data AILENA collected via our sophisticated life gear which the two users wore during their first virtual experience together, she found that they were lying to each other about some things. Data from their past social media histories also supports this,’ she mutters.

‘Like big lies? Or small ones? Because we all lie sometimes.’

‘I don’t know how big or small the lies were. But you know that humans are much more complex than our algorithms. And one of the shortcomings of AI is that it can’t understand the emotions behind such occurrences. But we base our outcomes on logic and data,’ Asmitha clarifies.

‘But don’t you think this is a huge shortcoming?’ I ask her a little aggressively.

‘Every machine, however sophisticated it is, has some shortcomings, Nirvaan! Even the Boeing jets crash sometimes,’ she argues.

‘But we’re dealing with people in love. Heartbreak has its own cost. This particular shortcoming can have severe mental health repercussions for our users,’ I voice my doubts.

‘But here’s the thing: AILENA is programmed in such a way that she can’t cut off the connection between the two users totally without the consent of at least one party. So, if she does end up doing that, then it means that at least one of the users did not wish to take the relationship forward!’

Asmitha’s words, while giving me a little more insight into the situation, send a shockwave down my spine. Because I had said ‘yes’ after the virtual experience, and if AILENA was looking for a new match for both Kiana and me, it meant that Kiana had said no to continuing the relationship with me!

I barely speak to Asmitha after this, and sensing the shift in my mood, she quickly says goodbye and leaves.