It was a gift from my dad on my high school graduation; it was a new, cute, and silver Peugeot 307; it was “the” car for an 18 year old university girl; and I loved it. Naturally, I gave it a name, a character, and the accessories to go with it. Fabien, nicknamed Bino, was my car, a blond, gay Frenchman, who was tough and fragile all together with a dice in the mirror.
Then came the July war, and our trip to Canada, and the debate to stay there, or come back to Lebanon, to sell everything, including Bino, or keep everything until further notice. I still remember the temper tantrums I threw just to come back to Lebanon for Bino and AUB; and it worked!
For 6 years, Bino was my best friend and companion. I still remember all the traffic jams we used to suffer on the highway to Beirut every morning, and back home in the evening. I remember all the chocolate bars and the juice cartons I used to leave behind because I was always in a hurry. I remember all the clothes and the shoes I used to lose, then find again with Bino. I remember the longest drive we had, which was to the south for a picnic with a bunch of friends from university.
He was with me through my high school graduation, my university years and graduation, he went with me on all those useless job interviews, and then to my first job, and now my second. He was with me while I was running around preparing for my wedding and remodeling my house.
But even the sweetest fruit will grow old and sour someday. A few weeks ago, I decided that Bino needed his retirement so I decided to put him up for sale. After the many phone calls, questions, price debates, and the lost Saturday at the Car Zone “Nef3a” (that is a different story) the deal was done and Bino had his new owner.
There are some moments in life that you know you will never forget, like the moment I found out I got accepted to AUB, or the moment I saw my husband for the first time, and now I have the moment I gave up Bino’s keys to the old man in the grey sweater.
Bitter, sweet… but I’m ready for a new car now!
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