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“See you there.” My new Kenyan friend Eunice, replied to me on whatsapp. She was my seatmate on a job interview which we both failed, yet our communication is still continuous. After a year of planning and waiting til our day off matches, we agreed to meet in Jumeirah Lake Towers to attend a free yoga class. Jumeirah Lake Towers or JLT, is literally a cluster of towers surrounded by artificial lakes. I’ve never been to this place on a regular workday so I just imagined how busy and crowded this place must be. Today, since it’s the weekend, this place is deserted. Eunice and I met on cluster F. It’s funny how we’ve only met once, and yet because of social media, it’s as if she’s my longtime friend. “When are you travelling back home?” I asked. “This Sunday. I haven’t bought anything yet for my relatives back there. You know it’s really hard when you’re here, back there they think you’re already rich. How’s work?” “Work is complicated.” I answered. “I worked longer hours.. “with no overtime pay.” She finished. We headed to the yoga class. After we inhaled deep and exhaled, she asked me when my vacation will be. Before I stretch my leg I answered, “after my contract ends.” “The cup in front of you is for our ceremonial ritual.” The yogini said. “So what’s your plan after this?” Eunice asked me. “Go to the mall, I guess.” I said. “I mean after your contract ends.” She said. “I don’t know, go home to the Philippines and study again I think. And you?” I asked. “I don’t know, maybe find another job.” She said. Ironic how it seems that before I go here, I planned everything and I thought I got it altogether. But now that I’m here, it’s not happening the way I planned it to be. “You can now take a sip of the cup.” The yogini instructed. Then, “Look around your surroundings, be mindful of it.” It’s as if the towers have swallowed us whole and yet it still feels we’re outside of it – of everything UAE. “Now focus on your inner center.” The yogini commanded. I just want to go home. We finished before 1 pm and when Eunice and I went outside the tower, a Muslim crowd strides past us for their afternoon prayer. “When can I see you again?” Eunice asked. I would like to answer her: next Friday, we could try the open beach. But we need to be there before sunset so that it will not be like this scorching heat. Instead I answered, “til our day off matches again.” “See you then.” She replied.