Why Dubai?

It all started with a challenge from a random relative when I was just five years old. I was that curious kid, always eager to learn, explore, and discover something new. It was another ordinary day, just like any other, until I heard the name "Dubai" for the first time. My relative was talking to my mom and said, "My son got a job in Dubai; he'll be leaving in a few days." My mom replied, "Oh, that’s great!"  

I was sitting on the ground, playing with my toys nearby, but when I heard that, something inside me stirred. I stood up, walked over, and stood between them, wanting to know more. “What’s Dubai? Is it a job? A place? A city?” I asked. 

My relative looked down at me and replied, “It’s abroad, far from India. It’s not easy to go to Dubai.” 

Without hesitation, I said, “Oh, I want to go too.”  

She laughed—loudly. “Haha, she’s funny. Beta, you can’t even leave this town until you’re married. Women don’t go there. Especially you, you can’t.”  

That response, however, sparked something inside the little kid I was. It wasn’t anger so much as a fire that was ignited. While I had always been taught to respect my elders and never question them, at that very moment, my heart and mind took on a silent challenge. “Oh, you’ll see. You’ll see how well I’ll be in Dubai.”

Fast forward to the present day, I knew Dubai was expensive. Coming from a lower-middle-class background with constant financial struggles, it wasn’t easy. The road ahead was far from smooth—most of my friends, college mates, and colleagues had paths that seemed far more straightforward. But despite the hurdles, I never let go of the dream. It stayed with me, like a constant whisper of possibility.

Things started to change when I began earning. For the first time, I felt the freedom of being financially independent. It was new, it was exciting, and it gave me the courage to think bigger. Last year, I made the decision: It’s time to fulfill that dream—no, that challenge I had set for myself. 

But when was the right time?

Well, when else but my birthday? I’ve always been a sucker for my birthday—it’s my favorite time of the year. I love celebrating it, feeling special, and reflecting on how far I’ve come. So, I thought, “Why not celebrate my silver birthday in the golden city?” 

And so, the dream that started with a challenge from a relative all those years ago is now becoming a reality. Dubai, here I come.