I will soon be heading back to my home in Dubai. For the last two months, I have been living here in Richmond, working as an intern, first for the Richmond Review and now the Richmond News.
It’s been a treat to be here. The weather alone has made it a wonderful experience. Summers in Dubai are hot and humid. Today’s high, for example, is 42 degrees Celsius with 40 per cent humidity.
In just two weeks, I’ll be surrounded by that hot humidity, once again. But before I go, I would like to share a memory from my first week living in this pretty city.
So here I go.
It was a Tuesday afternoon. I was waiting at the parking lot outside the car of my friend, Saira Baji, as she got her son out of his carseat into his stroller. As I waited, the sun’s rays sunk into my skin, warm and relaxing. I noticed the silent river humming in its own rhythm, slightly touching the shore before retrieving back. The wind lightly brushed against my face, which was peeking out of my hijab.
I heard a sweet laughter. Upon turning around, I caught sight of my friend’s son, Noah, settled in his stroller. His chubby cheeks pushed to the side, while his tiny teeth flashed at me.
His brown, marble eyes set against his soft tan skin. Once he was set in his stroller, we rolled our way towards what felt like heaven.
The blue sky cooled my eyes. The air was light and fresh, unlike Dubai’s which is humid and dusty. I selfishly gathered a huge bulk of air into my lungs, and slowly let it free.
There was greenery everywhere, vivid and gorgeous. I saw many people strolling around. I noticed their faces, vibrant and happy. Our path slightly curved to the left, in a huge semi-circle, the water lapping around it. Finally, a big blue and yellow sign reading “Pajo’s” came into focus.
“So there it is!” cheered Saira Baji.
As we approached, a mouth watering aroma hit me from the shack. It was classic fish n’ chips.
Looking at the menu, Saira Baji suggested I try the speciality of Canada, the halibut. Anything for fish! I instantly agreed.
As I turned to walk away from the outlet, the red colour flashed at me. It stood beautifully in the sun. I could not resist staring. My heart bounced with happiness. Saira Baji’s voice distracted me.
“It’s a self service,” she said. Oh right, Dubai’s waiter services had spoiled me.
After gathering the food, we made our way towards one of the picnic tables. We sat and nibbled at our food while enjoying the delicious, tender meat. The halibut was golden-brown and crispy, just perfectly made. The fries poked out of the cone-shaped plate as if volunteering to be eaten next.
Every once in a while, my gaze floated towards it. I kept admiring the splendid, red metal. It reflected the sun rays as if beckoning me.
The scenery from our table was mesmerizing. It was as if I had stepped into a soft-coloured tapestry. Calm water at the shore, with the ferozi blue sky sprinkled with white clouds, each making the other more resplendent.
The trees and grass added a touch of nature to it. The sun caressed my face and hands. I will be missing this when I get back to Dubai. I wanted to absorb it all within me.
As we were about to leave, I wanted one last glance at the red. I turned to look at it.
Oh no! It was gone.
Searching around, I caught sight of it whizzing away on it’s two wheels. My heart sank, but a brave voice within me said, “One day I will buy a red bicycle, and I will ride it along Garry Point, racing the wind, to be rewarded with another bite of Pajo’s.”
