Early 1970s, my kindergarten decided to take us on a school trip to Dubai zoo. We got onto a small minibus with our Arabic female teacher.

She played a song for us on her portable tape recorder. I knew neither the song nor the singer. I didn't understand the lyrics but l really liked the music. The rhythm touched my childish heart so deep and it continued touching me as I grew up. I never heard that song again and I never talked about it to anyone until 1985.

I was a fresh English language student in United states. I was enjoying my break time in the Arapahoe Community college at Denver, Colorado's cafeteria together with couple of students. One of them was an adorable half Egyptian and half Libyan also named Khalid.

Khalid was crazy about Arabic music and songs. He knew them all. He also got famous for being suspicious of terrorism. Those days Libya and USA relations were bad and one night he was arrested with other Libyans during an ambush. He reappeared after few weeks of absence with the usual smile on his face. USA officials had concluded that he had no links to terrorism so they set him free. Since his photo was released by media as a possible terrorist, he sued the government and won millions in compensation. Funny, his life changed for the better thereafter.

Anyway, l suddenly remembered my song and told Khalid about it. He asked me to play the music with my mouth. The moment I did he screamed "It's El-Albe-Yaashaq-Kule-Ghameel for Um-Kolthoom. You can find it in the Arabian Grocery shop".

I was shocked. I went mad. Is it possible that l am going to hear that same song again, for the second time in my life? I couldn't wait any longer. I was absent minded, so I decided to skip class and go to the Arabic Grocery shop right away. I had been there several time and I knew where cassette tapes were being kept in the shop. Anxiously, I was searching through the cassettes. It didn't take much efforts to find it.

My heart was pumping when I got into my car and played the cassette. It was the right song. The music started and took me back many years. Unconsciously, I started crying. They were tears of joy. Who could have thought I will find my favorite Arabic song in USA?

I don't know what happened to my friend Khalid but wherever he is I hope he is happy and his beautiful smile is bringing joy to his family's hearts as it did to mine.

Love you Khalid

❤