The Aquarium Charm

by Peter Ibogbe (Nigeria)

I didn't expect to find United Arab Emirates

Viewing the city through the windows, a scenery similar to those in my favorite travel magazines lay prostrate before me, as I made an exhaustive perusal of every item of structure on the landscape. Fom the tenth floor of Hotel Hyatt Place, the view of Dubai -City of Dreams- smiled at me with a rousing frenzy. A five-day stopover in Dubai was the least I could gift myself after fourty-five days of intensive work in Vadodara (formerly Baroda) India. Lying on the bed, the mental fill that dominated my memory was the fact that India is an ancient country with rich cultures and traditions. I got a buzz from my room telephone. The voice at the other end, with tainted English in strong Arabic accent, advised me to join others at the hotel lobby, as I had earlier booked for city tour. At 5:15pm, we got started. The views of the city were captivating and the tour guide made narrations as required. The bus made two stops: at the World Trade Centre on Sheikh Zayeed Road and Caribou Coffee in Dubai Marina. My choice of coffee reminded me, in every gulp, of the Indian Masala Chai. Driving through the Palm and then, subway, we appeared at the Atlantis Hotel that sits on a man-made island. The Atlantis Dubai is a great tourists' rendezvous with several visitors each day. We spent considerable time at the huge Aquarium, a refreshing view of large and exotic fishes in sea like environment I needed some spectacular pictures to populate my travel writeup but pulling out my camera to hit the shutter, it wouldn't come on, as the camera was low on battery. Shaking my head, camera in hand, I was enveloped in inestimate disappointment. Amidst my devastation, a black, Cannon camera showed up in my view, cupped by a set of fingers with well manicured nails. Turning towards the bearer, an oblong, charming face smiled at me. Coming to the rescue, she offered her camera, promising to share the pictures to my mail box. What a relief; I was grateful. On introduction, we were excited to learn that we both were Nigerians. Her name was Uche and I introduced myself as Chika. As we embraced each other, I felt like Emperor Charlemagne, when he found love. Journeying back to the hotel, I was locked up in fantasies of both the Atlantis and Uche (The Aquarium Charm). Later that Friday evening, the liquor lounge on the penthouse of Hotel Hyatt had captivated me as I consumed, amid classical music, the fascination of Dubai night scenery. Light-up views of Burg All Arab, Burg Khalifa and all such, heightened my euphoria as I downed more and more doubles of Martini, with complimentary ham steaks. That night was a beautiful one. I didn't wake up till midday Saturday. Browsing through my laptop, I got Uche's mail with the pictures. The one we had together could pass for pre-wedding pictures of Uche and I, as it triggered some instincts in me Uche had shared her contact in the mail, so I put a call through to her. After cohabiting with her in an imaginary world for about five minutes, we struck a deal to hang out that evening. At exactly 6:00pm, while at the lobby, a white SUV pulled over at the entrance. The lady that stepped out of the vehicle was Uche and she appeared like a Hollywood celebrity on red carpet. Then came the real city tour. From the Dubai Fountain Show at Burg Khalifa, through window shopping at Dubai Mall, we hit the Dubai Dhow Dinner Cruise along Dubai creek. Thereafter, we ate fish at Bu Qtair Fish Shack in Jumeirah. By 8:30pm, we got to Club Seven, a great place to hangout in Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel. The hangout experience with Uche was something out of this world! We finally kissed good bye by 11:40pm at the lobby entrance. On return to Nigeria, a relationship brewed up between Uche and I. Things happened too fast and in less than six months, our wedding bells were ringing, taking us to a blissful marriage. I didn't expect to find a wife in Dubai until I met the Aquarium Charm.