Happy Birthday, Saeedeh.

Cheetgar, black clothes, and the first rose

Our first date after you came from Germany to Iran for holiday was at Cheetgar. I still remember standing beside my car near the subway station around 10 in the morning, waiting for you to come out. I had told you to look for black: I was dressed all in black, and even my car was black. That was the sign.

Then you found me, came closer, and got into the car. We drove to Cheetgar Lake, and before we even got out, we exchanged our small gifts. You gave me a box of chocolates and an ERGO calendar. I gave you a red rose in a musical box. It was simple, but it felt important.

We walked by the lake and spoke about our past stories, then slowly about ourselves. Later, we went to Burger Factory for lunch. I remember how beautiful you looked that day, shining in the sunlight. After lunch, we kept walking and talking until we got back into the car. I drove you to the subway station while Moein’s “Lahzeha” was playing. Then you went home, and I drove back with that day still fully alive in my mind.

Nahjol Balagheh, honest questions, and the AirPods photo

The second time, I picked you up at Sadeghieh subway station and we went to Nahjol Balagheh Park. First, we had coffee and cake. Then we walked for a long time and talked more openly: preferences, likes and dislikes, priorities, red flags, green flags, and the small details that show who a person really is.

That day helped me know you much better. It was not rushed, and it was not superficial. It felt like we were both trying to understand whether something real could grow between us.

After that, we went to Kourosh Mall and had Purple Sokhari for lunch. We walked a little more, then returned to the car and took that photo of our hands holding our AirPods next to each other, without touching, for our Telegram music channel. Then I dropped you off near Niayesh Mall and went back home.

What I remember most about those first two meetings is how careful we were. Except for shaking hands at the beginning and the end, we did not touch. Somehow, that made everything feel even more respectful, more patient, and more serious.

Baame Tehran, the last date before Germany

The third date was unexpected. I was at work when you texted me and asked whether I could leave early so we could see each other again before you went back to Germany. I took the rest of the day off. I did not want to miss that chance.

We went to Baame Tehran and sat next to each other in the car, spending quiet, valuable time together. We talked about how much we were going to miss each other. At that point, we still did not know whether I would make it to Germany or not. Admissions and visa were still uncertain, and nothing was guaranteed.

So we said goodbye with hope, but also with fear. I drove you to the subway station and came back home sad, carrying the thought that maybe I would never see you again. That goodbye stayed with me because it showed me clearly how much you already meant to me.