Remembering Daria, A Bright Light Gone Too Soon

On February 24, 2023, five students from the University of Balamand were driving back to their dorms on the Chekka-Batroun highway when three of the students: Mohamed Rahal, Mirella Ezzedine and Daria Maktabi ’22 were killed in a car accident. Daria’s death sent shockwaves through the IC community. In honor of Daria, her friends from the Class of 2022 have written a letter to her that they would like to share.

“I was walking in Hamra once and I had to sit on a bench. I was tearing up. When I looked up, I saw her. She was so beautiful and glowing. I really felt like I saw an angel. She asked me if I’m alright, and without hesitation, I said that I wasn’t ok. She just sat down, and I let everything out to a complete stranger. We talked for 2-3 hours on that bench, and she said things that enlightened me. She even invited me for a piece of cake. We walked our separate ways, and I haven’t seen her since. I couldn’t remember her name, until I saw the news... It just fills me with joy that I once felt her presence.”

Message received by someone who had once met

Daria Maktabi

Dear Daria, we never thought we would be writing this letter to you. We never thought you would leave us soon. Our lives have just begun. 18-years-old. Are we supposed to die at 18?

Dear Daria, the emptiness that you have left behind is huge. We miss you. We miss you. We miss you. We get together but you are not with us. But still, we pretend you are. We talk about you and our great times together. We giggle at your jokes. Can you hear us, Daria? Are you laughing with us? Oh, how we miss your laughter. Your witty and unique sense of humor. Your kindness. Your love and care for everyone. Your way of putting people at ease. Even when we made fun of each other, you were there to defend one and all. Your loving heart couldn’t bare the thought of anyone being mocked. To you, everyone was a best friend. Even those you barely met. You left a profound impact on everyone, Daria.

Dear Daria, you were the light in our lives, especially during some of our dark days. Always encouraging us to become the best version of ourselves. Your love for life was contagious. Remember our adventures? You insisted that every weekend was an opportunity to make memories. So, we visited Batroun and drank lemonade. We explored Faraya. We did so many things together. Did you know you were leaving us soon? Is that why you wanted us to make all these memories together?

Daria, your brilliance shone through. You had a way expressing your love. Your way with words made you an excellent writer and a deep thinker – well beyond your years. Your beautiful words in letters, birthday cards and messages were inspirational. Be grateful. Be resilient. Be true to yourselves. Isn’t that you always told us? That’s why we always called you first for advice. You always listened.

Even at university, you immediately grew a community of new friends. You brought them together to share your love for cooking and entertaining – fun days that would sometimes last all day and all night. And coffee! How you loved finding new ways to make your morning coffee! That was your favorite part of the day, wasn’t it?

Somehow you managed it all. Friends, entertaining, studying and even running your own fashion store online, that you started when you were only 16.

But we all knew that your best friend was your lovely mother, Irina. Your family saw you as their secret treasure. How you adored being around your three siblings, going on long drives with them and listening to music. You had so many inside jokes with Wassim. You would laugh so much with him. “All that was beautiful was Daria. She taught us how to love each other even more than we ever imagined as a family.” These are Sherif’s words, Daria. Your family loved you so very much.

Dear Daria, we don’t understand why you had to go. Why you, Daria? Why you? How could someone so dear and precious just disappear? Our parents tell us that time will heal. Maybe. Maybe our tears will dry up sometime. But you will always remain part of who we are and who we will become. We promise you that we will never take anything for granted.

Thank you, Daria, for having been part of our lives. Thank you for your love, time, honesty, patience, and selflessness.

Rest in peace our sweet angel. Your friends forever