A few months ago, I decided to give away my college dictionaries, books and notebooks to the faculty of Alsun, in my hometown in Luxor. I haven’t used any since my college days, over 15 years ago. Nevertheless, I kept some books, as well as a memento that Manal, my colleague, wrote to me on the last page of my graduation research folder. I smiled while reading it, and wondered whether our paths would ever cross again.

Manal was my close friend during my four years at the University of Minya. We used to attend lectures together, sit next to each other on benches, and have lunch in the restaurant of the university residence. After finishing college, we kept in touch for a few months but later, we lost contact at some point.

A few days ago, I went to a tailor in Faisal. Faisal is a popular, super noisy and crowded district in Giza. I took a microbus first, then a tuk-tuk to the side road which had as much traffic as the main one.

Having a tuk-tuk in an unpaved area was a terrible experience. My body was jumping up and down as if I were sitting on a trampoline.

After finishing with the tailor, I decided to walk it to the main road, instead of having another trampoline experience. While walking, the most noticeable thing was that there were many Sudanese, either selling something on streets or just walking around. One of the shops I entered was for a Syrian man.

It was so nice to see refugees from neighboring countries live together with Egyptians. I just hope that all of them, especially Egyptians, harmoniously coexist with each other without slipping into racism and hatred. *

While looking around, I heard someone calling my name. Despite all the noise in the background, thankfully, my hearing aids helped me hear that call.

I looked behind to find Manal, my colleague whom I haven’t seen in 15 years! What was the probability of running into someone I haven’t met in years in a huge, chaotic city like Giza? The probability was so low, however, it happened, as if someone was arranging for our coincidence.

Manal and I studied in Minya. Manal is originally from Assiut, but moved to Giza after marriage while I’m from Luxor, and work occasionally in Giza. We came across each other in Giza.**

I felt as if I got inside a time machine. In a moment, I was in college, walking and chatting with Manal on our way to the residence. Suddenly, in the following moment, we were standing over there on the street.

She invited me over but I didn’t want to get home late. We quickly touched base on our lives, then we said goodbye.

I don’t know why we didn’t exchange phone numbers. Maybe, we were amazed at the way we met, and tried to make the most of the moment. Or maybe as Akiko said: "Sometimes, coincidence is so perfect that deliberate action isn't needed."

I surely know one thing that if we are destined to meet again, we will.

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*What do you think of the first bolded paragraph? Should I keep it or delete it?

**What do you think of the second bolded paragraph?