A Chance Encounter at the Airport
Characters:
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Emma – a young professional traveling for work.
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David – her old college friend, traveling for a family visit.
Conversation
Emma: (looking around the crowded waiting area) This airport is busier than I expected… Oh wait, is that—David?
David: (turns, surprised) Emma? Emma Collins? Is that really you?
Emma: (smiling) Yes, it’s me! Wow, I can’t believe it. What are the odds of running into you here?
David: No kidding! I was just thinking this place feels like a giant maze, and suddenly I see a familiar face. It’s been… what, almost eight years since graduation?
Emma: About that, yes. Time flies! You look almost the same though. Maybe just more professional with that suit.
David: (laughs) And you look even more confident than back in college. What brings you to the airport today? Business or vacation?
Emma: Business. I have a conference in Singapore. My flight leaves in about two hours. How about you?
David: I’m heading to London. My sister just had a baby, and I’m going to meet my little niece for the first time.
Emma: That’s wonderful! Congratulations, Uncle David.
David: (grinning) Thanks! Honestly, I’m nervous too. I’ve never held a newborn before.
Emma: Don’t worry. Babies are delicate, but you’ll do fine. Just support the head and smile. That usually works.
David: (chuckling) I’ll remember that. So, Emma, tell me—how’s life treating you?
Emma: Oh, busy as always. After college, I worked in marketing for a few years. Now I’m managing international projects. Lots of traveling, lots of deadlines. But I do enjoy the work.
David: That sounds exciting. Always on the move, meeting new people. Do you ever get time for yourself?
Emma: Not as much as I’d like. Sometimes I feel like airports are my second home. What about you? What are you doing these days?
David: I’m in architecture now. After graduation, I joined a firm in New York. We design residential complexes, offices, and sometimes public spaces. It’s stressful, but I love seeing our work come alive in concrete and glass.
Emma: Architecture! I remember you sketching buildings on napkins during lectures. You always had that creative eye.
David: (smiling) Guilty as charged. And you were always presenting ideas with so much energy. I think our professors knew we’d do something big.
Emma: (laughs) Maybe. But it’s nice to hear that. You know, I always admired how focused you were.
David: Thank you, Emma. Coming from you, that means a lot.
Emma: So, do you live in New York now?
David: Yes, I’ve been there for about six years. Busy city, but full of opportunities. And you?
Emma: I’m based in Mumbai these days, but I travel often to Southeast Asia. My company’s headquarters are in Singapore.
David: Wow, Mumbai! That must be quite an experience.
Emma: Definitely. The energy is unmatched. But sometimes, I miss the quiet of our college town.
David: Same here. Those simple days—late-night study sessions, coffee breaks, walking around campus—it all feels like yesterday.
Emma: Do you remember our group project in senior year? The one where the presentation crashed, and we had to improvise?
David: (laughs loudly) How could I forget? We ended up drawing diagrams on the whiteboard instead of using slides. And still, we got an A.
Emma: True! That day taught me that quick thinking saves the day.
David: And teamwork. We really pulled together. Honestly, I miss those days.
Emma: Me too. Life after college can feel so… fast. Everyone’s busy chasing goals.
David: Exactly. Sometimes, I wonder if we forget to slow down and enjoy the moment.
Emma: (nodding) Speaking of slowing down, should we grab a coffee? We have some time before our flights.
David: Great idea. Let’s head to that café over there.
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(They walk over, order coffee, and sit near a window overlooking the runway.)
Emma: Nothing beats airport coffee, huh?
David: (making a face) Well, it’s not the best, but it works. So tell me—do you still paint? You used to enjoy that.
Emma: Oh wow, you remember! I haven’t painted much recently. Work keeps me too busy. But whenever I visit my parents, I spend some time with colors. What about you? Still playing the guitar?
David: Rarely. It’s gathering dust in my apartment. Sometimes I feel guilty about it. Music used to be my stress relief.
Emma: Maybe it still can be. You should pick it up again.
David: And you should paint again. Deal?
Emma: (smiling) Deal.
David: You know, Emma, running into you today feels like fate.
Emma: (laughs softly) Or maybe just airport timing. But I agree—it’s nice. Life rarely gives us such surprises.
David: True. So, do you travel alone most of the time?
Emma: Mostly, yes. My colleagues sometimes join me, but I don’t mind being alone. It gives me space to think.
David: I understand. Traveling alone makes you observe more. I often sketch airports and people when I travel.
Emma: That’s such a creative way to pass time.
David: (smiling) It keeps me connected to why I chose architecture.
Emma: That’s inspiring. You know, I think airports are like little stories waiting to be told. Every traveler has a reason, a destination, a hope.
David: Nicely said. Maybe you should write a book someday. “Stories from the Terminal.”
Emma: (laughs) That’s catchy! Maybe I will.
David: If you do, don’t forget to mention this chance encounter.
Emma: Of course! It’s one of the nicest surprises in a long time.
(They pause, watching planes take off outside.)
David: You know, Emma, we should stay in touch this time. Back then, after graduation, I think life just pulled us in different directions.
Emma: Yes, we drifted apart. But better late than never. Do you still use the same email?
David: No, but I can give you my new one. And let me have your number too.
Emma: Sure. (They exchange details.)
David: Perfect. Maybe one day, I’ll visit Mumbai. You can show me around.
Emma: Absolutely! And if I’m in New York, I’ll call you. You can take me to see your buildings.
David: Deal.
Emma: You know, this conversation made waiting for my flight so much better.
David: Same here. Airports can be tiring, but with company, they feel lighter.
Emma: I agree. And who knows, maybe this encounter is the start of a new chapter of friendship.
David: I’d like that.
(Announcement: “Attention, passengers for Flight 327 to Singapore, please proceed to Gate 14.”)
Emma: Oh, that’s my flight.
David: Already? Time went so fast.
Emma: (smiling) Yes, it did. But I’m glad we met. Safe travels to London, David. Enjoy meeting your niece.
David: Thank you, Emma. And all the best for your conference. Knock their socks off!
Emma: (laughs) I’ll try. Goodbye, David. Let’s not lose touch this time.
David: We won’t. Goodbye, Emma. Safe flight!
(They wave as Emma heads toward her gate. Both feel lighter, warmed by the unexpected joy of reconnecting at an airport.)
Explore more English conversations here:
- Daily English Conversation Practice for Beginners – At the Breakfast Table
- Daily English Dialogue Conversation Practice: Expressing Concern
- ESL Conversations Taking the Bus
- American English Conversation Practice: At A Restaurant
- Daily English Dialogues: Meeting Friends
