First Greetings

Part One: The Wrong Daniel

Inspired by the airport meetings in the movie The Terminal, this story begins in a bright airport on Monday morning. Amina Hassan stands near a café. She has a green coat, a black suitcase, and a paper map. Cups make small sounds behind the café counter. Fresh coffee smells warm and sweet. Amina looks at her map. Today is the first day of her professional evening course. The class is called English for Airport Work. Amina is early, but the airport is very big.

Amina sees a man beside the information desk. He has a blue badge. The badge says DANIEL. She walks to him and smiles. “Good morning. I’m Amina,” she says. The man looks surprised. “Hello. I’m Daniel,” he answers. Amina points to the map. “You’re Daniel?” “Yes,” he says. “Nice to meet you.” “Nice to meet you too.” They walk toward Room 12. Their shoes click across the hard floor.

At Room 12, a woman in a red jacket checks the blue badge. Then she laughs. “Daniel, you’re in the cooking course. This is the airport English course.” Daniel looks at his badge again. A tiny picture of a cake is under his name. Amina covers a smile with her map. The smell of bread comes from the next room. “Ah! I’m the wrong Daniel,” he says. He points down the hall. “You’re Amina, and you’re in Room 12.” Amina waves. “Nice to meet you, Wrong Daniel!” Daniel laughs and follows the smell of bread.

Part Two: The Red Suitcase

Inside Room 12, small model planes hang from the ceiling. Ten participants sit in a circle. Amina puts her black suitcase near her chair. The teacher gives everyone a name card. Then the door opens. A small red suitcase rolls into the room by itself. It hits a chair with a soft bump. A tall man runs through the door after it. His yellow scarf moves like a flag. “Hello! I’m Daniel,” he says. The class laughs.

Amina looks at his name card. It says DANIEL NOVAK. “You’re Daniel?” she asks carefully. “Yes. I’m Daniel Novak,” he says. “You’re Amina?” “Yes. Nice to meet you.” “Nice to meet you too.” Daniel catches the red suitcase. One wheel makes a loud squeak. “My suitcase is ready for an adventure,” he says. Amina points at it. “You’re Daniel, but your suitcase is the real participant!” Daniel puts the suitcase beside his chair and holds its handle.

The teacher gives the class a task: meet one new person near Gate 4 and return together. Amina and Daniel leave Room 12. The airport is now busy. Announcements ring above them, and suitcase wheels hum on the floor. At a crossing, Daniel turns left. Amina checks her map. Gate 4 is right. “Daniel, you’re lost,” she says. “I’m lost?” He turns the map around. “Yes, I’m lost.” They laugh, turn right, and follow the yellow signs.

Part Three: A Brave Hello

Near Gate 4, Amina and Daniel see a woman studying a large screen. She wears a grey jacket and holds a silver folder. Amina stops. The woman looks serious, and Amina’s fingers press the edge of her map. Daniel whispers, “You’re ready.” The red suitcase squeaks behind him. The sound is so funny that Amina smiles. She steps forward.

“Good morning. I’m Amina,” she says. The woman turns and smiles. “Hello. I’m Sofia.” Amina looks at the silver name badge. “You’re Sofia Costa?” “Yes. Nice to meet you.” “Nice to meet you too.” Daniel introduces himself next. Sofia is another participant in their course, but she cannot find Room 12. Because Amina has the map, she shows Sofia the route.

The three participants return together. Amina walks in front with the map open. Daniel pulls the noisy red suitcase, and Sofia carries her silver folder. At Room 12, the teacher asks, “Are you ready?” Amina looks at Daniel and Sofia. Then she places three name cards on the table. “I’m Amina. You’re Daniel. You’re Sofia,” she says. Everyone claps. The model planes move softly above them. Beside Amina’s chair, the red suitcase stands still at last, with its handle between three bright name cards.

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