Echoes of Dawn

Stepping Into the Labyrinth

It was like any other day, or as it seemed at first glance. The day unfurled as the familiar cadence of life whispered through the air - the burden of weary early lectures pressing down, the specter of impending assessments looming overhead, and the frantic race against time to meet assignment deadlines. Yet, amidst the hustle and bustle, there remained a glimmer of hope—in the form of cherished moments shared among friends and a comforting respite from the day's challenges.

Into this scene stepped Najah, a radiant presence, just like the warm embrace of sunshine, illuminating the canvas of existence like every time. As I exited the academic building, I caught sight of a stunning fair-skinned young woman, standing at approximately 1.6 meters in height, making her way toward me from the right. She was approaching with a gleaming smile on her face, and her hands gracefully waving in greeting. Even from a distance, I knew it was Najah; her unmistakable aura could make her stand out effortlessly even in the bustling crowd. She was seen, even in the sweltering heat of a summer afternoon in March.

I bolted towards her, a joyous yell erupting from my throat, "Najah!"

Mirroring my excitement, Najah met me halfway and launched herself into my arms. Her embrace was a refuge, and her voice was thick with emotion, "A year, hasn't it? The days have melted away like dreams."

"A year, for sure!" I echoed the memory of a kaleidoscope. "Wasn't it that new pan-Asian place on Bagen Road? November-ish? Though, maybe it was even last summer... Time seems to warp when you're apart."

"Hold on," Najah interjected, a smile tugging at her lips. "Bagen Road was definitely in November. Not a year yet. And last summer? DMD, after my finals, right? Still a way off from a whole year." A grin tugged at my lips. "DMD, that's right! Stuck with Mr. Perfectly Fine on the phone for an entire hour, right there in front of me at the North End and gushing about him for the rest of the time." I chuckled, playfully poking fun.

Najah's cheeks flushed a betraying crimson – "Oh please, it wasn't an hour!" she mumbled, hastily deflecting with, "But enough about Mr. Perfectly Fine – guess why I was practically sprinting to meet you?"

Curiosity sparked in my eyes, a silent question mingling with anticipation as she fumbled with her backpack. The zipper hissed shut, revealing a flash of pink held aloft in her hand, a perfect square against the backdrop of her retreating bag. "Remember that calendar you were obsessing over on social media?" she began, a hint of self-consciousness coloring her voice. "The one you said would practically fix your life? Well, I found something similar online – not Korean, like you wanted, but Chinese. Maybe not perfect, but hopefully close enough?"

A lump formed in my throat, tears pricked at my eyes, a wellspring of emotion overflowing at the sight of the present. In my twenty-five years, no one, not a single girl or even a single boy, had ever presented me with such a thoughtful gesture.

"This is unreal, Najah," my voice shook with a mix of gratitude and amusement at her gesture, "Do I deserve such spoiling?" A playful smile tugged at my lips. "If fate hadn't messed up and made you a wonderful boy, instead of a girl," I teased, my gaze turning warm, "you'd be a shoo-in for my lifelong partner material."

Najah's laugh echoed as she shot a playful glance over her shoulder. "Ameera always says that to her girlfriends," she explained, the amusement directed at a figure I hadn't noticed before. It was only then that I registered the silent observer – a figure, perhaps 1.7 meters tall, standing behind Najah, a smile playing on his lips as he witnessed our reunion.

The silent figure behind Najah finally spoke, his voice a low chuckle. "Though I would bet on Najah being less thoughtful if she were a man," he conceded. "Let's be honest, even the best of us men wouldn't dream of such a sweet surprise. It seems chivalry isn't quite dead yet, after all." His eyes twinkled with amusement as they met mine, a silent dare hanging in the air.

My head snapped towards the voice, surprise battling with curiosity. "Excuse me?" I challenged a playful edge to my voice. "No offense, but surprises like this? Hardly a man's specialty. Have you ever seen a man remember a detail from a casual social media post, let alone bring a present based on it? Or, have you ever heard of a man stalking a girl's social media for gift ideas? Heck, forget that – have you ever seen a guy just randomly bring a present?" My gaze locked with the figure behind Najah, daring me to contradict him.

The unexpected notion left me momentarily speechless, my carefully constructed argument dissolving on my tongue. But Najah, ever the smooth operator, intervened, "Oh, really? And why might that be?" The tall figure's smile widened, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Because, my friend," he murmured, a hint of amusement laced with something deeper, "that's just the way men are built."

"A flimsy excuse," I wondered, "as if that explained everything." Najah's infectious and warm laughter filled the air. I, however, blurted out in a whirlwind of playful outrage, "There it is!" My voice, fueled by a mix of amusement and mock indignation, tumbled out, "The great mystery! Isn't that why women find solace in each other's company more than with men? Men just... can't seem to offer the level of understanding and support women crave for." My voice trailed off, tinged with a touch of exasperation. "Is that why so many end up single?" I gazed at the unnamed figure standing beside Najah, as I completed my breathless declaration.

Najah's laughter, once a balm, now felt strained in the awkward silence. Stepping forward, she assumed the role of peacemaker. "Alright, alright," she chuckled, gesturing towards the tall figure. "Let me make the introductions official. Ameera, meet Rayyan, a friend from my undergrad days. And Rayyan, meet Ameera," gestured Najah, introducing me with a warm smile. "We go way back to college."

She started to explain more, directing a glance between us, "You two are in the same MBA program now, different sections though, right? You two haven't crossed paths before today, have you? So, first official meeting!"

Rayyan offered a friendly wave. "Hello!"

"Hi," I replied, returning the greeting. "We haven't actually spoken before, have we?"

"Just online in the group chats," Rayyan confirmed with a grin. "First time meeting in person, though. Nice to finally put a face to the name."

"Yeah, nice," I murmured, oblivious to the way this chance encounter would rewrite the narrative of my life.