The Past Was Beautiful

That day was one of the happiest days of my life. Eagerly, I walked to the mirror and looked at my face. I was so excited that it felt as though I were embracing myself. My eyes sparkled, and a smile rested on my lips. Deep inside, I kept saying to myself, “How wonderful that I can finally go.”

The morning of the day we were supposed to leave was slowly arriving, and the sky was gradually becoming brighter. The sun had not yet fully risen when my brother, with sleepy eyes, called out to me and said, “Wake up, we’ll be late.” With the same excitement that was surging in my heart, I quickly got out of bed. I took my phone from beneath my pillow; it was close to four-thirty in the morning. I performed ablution and silently thanked God for this beautiful opportunity. I spread out my prayer mat and peacefully performed my prayer.

I walked toward the wardrobe. I took out my black manteau and my black jacket. I looked at them for a few moments; it had been a long time since I had worn them. Happily, I put on my clothes. Then I went to the bathroom mirror to freshen up a little. I neatly combed my hair with my black comb. Just then, my brother knocked and said, “Hurry up, come out so we can go, we’ll be late.” I adjusted my chador and came out. He was holding his books and was ready to leave. The cold air and pleasant breeze of the winter morning felt so delightful on my face that it was as if I had placed a cool piece of ice in my mouth during the heat of summer; but the excitement in my heart was even greater than that breeze, and it had turned my cheeks red with joy.

I put on my shoes.
I stood beside the window. The faint reflection of the morning light had fallen on the glass, showing the image of my face. A smile involuntarily appeared on my lips. I took a deep breath and said to myself, “What kind of day will today be?”
In my mind, I imagined over and over how I would greet everyone when I entered the training center, how I would speak with others, and what events would be waiting for me.

We closed the courtyard gate and set off. I still remember that route very well. We walked through the dirt alley. My brother’s footprints remained on the ground, and I tried to place my feet exactly where his footprints were. That little game made the journey even sweeter for me. When we reached the main road, more and more people were out and about. Everyone was in a hurry to get to their work and their lives. The journey to the training center took about half an hour.

On the way, I asked my brother, “What time is it? I didn’t bring my phone.”
He took his phone out from among his books. When he pressed the side button, he noticed that the phone was upside down. He laughed, turned it the right way, and said, “Five twenty-four.”
I was so absorbed in my thoughts and excitement that I did not even realize how the journey had passed. Very soon, we arrived at the training center. I took a deep breath, straightened my shoulders, and lifted my head, because I had imagined this moment many times in my mind.

My brother and I entered the training center together. We greeted them, and I said that it was my first time there. The office manager kindly said, “You may visit the classes, and if you like them, you can register.”
We quietly left the office. Rahim walked ahead, and I followed him up the stairs. The classroom was on the second floor. When we entered the classroom, most of the students turned their attention toward us. We greeted them and went inside. I looked at the chairs and sat beside the girls. I leaned against the wall, folded my hands, and waited for the teacher to arrive.

A few minutes later, the teacher entered. He greeted everyone and began the lesson by asking how everyone was doing. I looked carefully at his face and thought to myself that he would surely be a good teacher.
Suddenly, he looked at me and asked, “Are you a new student? Why didn’t you bring a pen?”
A little shyly, I replied, “My brother is taking notes.”
He asked, “Which brother?”
I told him my brother’s name.
After a few short remarks, the lesson began. That class went very well. After that, I attended another class taught by a different teacher. That class was also very interesting and educational for me.

Gradually, a month passed after I started going to the training center. During that time, I made new friends, learned many things, and gained new and wonderful experiences. Every day, I went to the training center with even greater enthusiasm. But one day, something happened that I will never forget...

That day, as usual, I had arrived at the training center a little before the class began. I was quietly walking through the corridor when suddenly someone came from the opposite direction. Involuntarily, I raised my head. For a brief moment, my eyes met theirs. We both stood motionless for a few seconds.
The calm smile on the face made me recognize the person. I could not believe it; it was one of my closest childhood friends, someone I had not heard from for years.

Happily, we walked toward each other and embraced one another. Tears of joy filled both of our eyes. I said, “Is it really you?”
With a smile, came the reply, “I can’t believe I’m seeing you again either.”
We sat together until the class began and talked about memories of the past, our childhood days, hardships, dreams, promises, and the days we had spent apart. I felt as though all the distance of those years had disappeared after just a few minutes of conversation.

After the class ended, we left the training center together. The cold winter air no longer felt cold to me, because the warmth of seeing an old friend again had filled my entire being. When I arrived home, I stood in front of the mirror once more. This time, my smile was even more beautiful than it had been that morning. I quietly looked at myself and said,
“What a beautiful day it was...”

That day, I had not gone to the training center only to study; I had also rediscovered one of the most beautiful memories of my life. From that day on, I understood that no matter how much time passes, if someone truly belongs in your heart, they return to your life with just one glance and one smile. Even now, whenever I remember that winter morning, a smile appears on my lips, and I say to myself:
Some of the most beautiful moments in life happen precisely when you least expect them.