More!!!

by Goodness Godwin-Usoro (Nigeria)

I didn't expect to find United Arab Emirates

It was 1month, 2weeks, 2days and an hour to 14 days in Dubai but he died. He died of a kind of seizure called Asthma. It was an all-expense paid trip sponsored by his company to his family in appreciation for a decade of his Job well done. Our trip ended as a mirage! We closed the chapter to one of the largest cities in the United Arab Emirate - Dubai. Two years later, the city of Dubai opened itself again. It was our granny’s 75th life anniversary and she really wanted us with her. Guess what? She sponsored our trip! “Dubai must want something from us” Our mum joked. We giggled in our tiny voices as my sister ordered a taxi to the Murtala Muhammed International airport, Ikeja, Lagos. Our flight took off by 4:00pm and we landed at 2:05 am in Dubai’s time. The high rise buildings slated in shiny petals of GOLD, the harmony of the Indians, Pakistanis, other immigrants and I must confess few of the Emiratis working and walking in the world’s largest tourist centers surrendered me to the thought of “Dubai a home springing up to financial boom” . I wasn’t wrong, I had a confirmation from one of the waiters I met. She stated “I have seen deserts in quick time transform to oil, tourist or trade industries but none as quick as Dubai”. To think that my last few hours of daydream in Nigeria were mind blowing. They captured the tall towers and white polished porch police cars but not the Burj Khalifa kind of tallness, not Lamborghinis Aventador, not the noiseless Ferraris, not the effortless takeoff by the BMWs and other super cars owned by their forces. My mum, sister and I embarked on Dubai’s research before we arrived at UAE, we called it rigorous! At least, rigorous enough to display the castle like hotels carved out from nicely treated bronze, silver or both but none of these preparations matched our 7 star hotel experience in preparation for our grandma’s birthday. Dubai opened us to luxuries, luxuries imaginations could not phantom neither could research cover. I judge Dubai flawless! The cross ventilated breeze awarded me a passionate night rest. I felt relaxation shut up in my bones yet I was up so early. Since age 10, I inculcated the habit of waking up before dawn, the coolest atmosphere couldn’t change that tradition. Everything seemed numb that morning, the whole sugar rush was over, I wanted more!!! I fine-tuned my imaginations to an everlasting stay in Dubai, as I peeped through the massive window, my thoughts were interrupted by the sight of two love birds who had just been caught by the police. It was illegal to express an open romance or affection there, my heart skipped for them! The lady wore a green armless top and stripped blue jeans, contrary to their culture. Most of the women I came across in the mall, restaurants and tourist centers were fully dressed, hijabs included making it easy to differentiate foreigners. “We should have our thanksgiving in my church tomorrow before you all leave for Nigeria” Grandma advised in her breaking baritone during breakfast. Poor old woman, her intonation had started to rise and fall like the Arabic tone of the Emiratis even if she spoke English. The chunk of camel meat choked my throat, I coughed out! My sister could relate with my reaction, she had her sarcastic smile beneath the Aljabab bread she held. My mum smirked loudly! It had been 2years 1months and 2weeks since we went to church. My mum thought God failed her because our dad died. Church; it was such a hallowed presence, we were not ready. Something more than a refined Gold was in there. It felt like I was missing someone, I needed what the lady beside me had inside of her, it felt like peace, the same peace and ‘more’ I craved for. “Rabbi loves you and your circumstances will never change your Rabbi’s love for you” she whispered in my ears. Those words stirred me up to tears. I didn’t know I could find my satisfaction – my Rabbi, my Jesus in Dubai.