Sands, Citylights and Newfound Friendships: Vishesh’s Solo Dubai Trip with Thrillophilia
Vishesh had no clue that his decision to spend the first 3 days of Navratri exploring Dubai alone would take such a memorable turn. As he left the arrival gate and walked through the sprawling Dubai International Airport, he was feeling the thrill… and slight nervousness… about his first solo trip. But then, in a twist of fate, he crossed paths with a stranger named Asif.
Asif noticed Vishesh staring around with a mix of awe and confusion. "Hey, first time here?" Asif’s voice was warm, with a hint of mischief in his eyes.
“Uh, yeah, how did you know?” Vishesh asked, a bit startled.
“Let’s just say I can spot a newbie from a mile away,” Asif replied, chuckling. “I’m here a lot for work, but this time I’ve got a few days to explore for fun. I was just thinking it'd be great to have someone to share the adventure with. So, you wanna team up?”
Something was inviting about Asif’s openness, and that turned Vishesh’s nervousness into comfort. Vishesh agreed on a whim, thinking to himself, “Why not? Isn’t that what I came here for?”
Together, they first headed to the Aura Sky Pool, a place that Vishesh had read about but had never dreamed would look so stunning in person. Asif had made sure they got the perfect spot- the Marina view, with an expanse of turquoise pool meeting the sky. They stood by the edge, soaking in the scene before plunging in.
“Look at this view,” Vishesh said, slightly breathless.
“I know, right?” Asif replied, floating beside him. “I’ve been to Dubai a dozen times, and it still makes me feel like a kid seeing magic for the first time.”
Asif shared stories of his travels, his work, and his little escapes to places like Dubai, Tokyo, and Istanbul. With each story, Vishesh felt a growing admiration for Asif’s outlook on life, a way of embracing new situations with open arms.
“So, what brought you here all by yourself?” Asif asked as they lounged by the pool, sipping on his drink.
“I just...needed a break,” Vishesh replied honestly. “Routine back home gets a little stifling. I wanted to shake things up, feel something different.”
Asif nodded, smiling knowingly. “I get it. Sometimes you need that. I was in the same place once. Then I learned that a new place, even if it’s for a few days, can change everything.”
There was a strange comfort in talking to Asif. It was like he understood, even without Vishesh saying much. They stayed there for hours, watching the sun setting over the city and casting shades of gold and pink across the Marina.
When they finally left, Vishesh felt like he’d known Asif for longer than a day. This was a stranger, yet he somehow felt like an old friend.
The next day was all about adventures. They drove out to the desert for a dune-bashing session that Vishesh would never forget. With the 4x4 diving down golden dunes and Asif's contagious laughter filling the air, Vishesh felt a rush of life he hadn’t felt in years.
At one point, their car skidded down a particularly steep dune, and Vishesh clung to the seat, laughing and shouting, “This is insane!”
Asif’s eyes sparkled as he yelled back, “That’s the point, my friend! Habibi, This is Dubai!”
They shared a laugh and Vishesh realised that there was something about Asif’s energy that made him feel bolder, more open to the amusement of it all. By the time they reached the desert camp, dust-covered but grinning from ear to ear, Vishesh felt like he’d just lived one of the best moments of his life.
That evening, the desert came alive in a completely different way. The quiet, golden sands transformed into an oasis of music and dancing, and the aroma of grilled food filled the air. Vishesh watched, enchanted, as a belly dancer moved gracefully under the desert stars. It was later followed by a delicious BBQ dinner which they enjoyed sitting on the sand.
“Isn’t it strange how alive this place feels at night?” Asif said.
Vishesh nodded, watching the stars overhead. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt this connected to a place before,” he admitted. “Or to a person I just met.”
Asif chuckled. “That’s the beauty of travel, Vishesh. It makes us open up in ways we never knew was possible. You realise what you’re missing, and sometimes, who you’re missing…as if you’re suddenly awake from a long sleep.”
The next morning, as Vishesh packed his things and prepared for his flight, he felt a pang of sadness, a reluctance to leave. Asif came to meet him at the hotel lobby to say goodbye and both of them were a little subdued.
“Thank you,” Vishesh said, his voice thick with emotion. “You made this trip feel like... I don’t know, something beyond travel.”
Asif clasped his shoulder, “Thank God I stood up to your expectations. The pleasure was mine. Don’t let this trip be a one-time thing, yeah? The world’s too big to settle for routine. See you soon, perhaps on another side of the world”.
They shook hands, and in that handshake, Vishesh felt the weight of friendship, the kind that doesn’t always need time to grow. Asif watched him go, with a smile on his face as though he’d seen something change in Vishesh.
As the plane took off, Vishesh looked out the window at the city he was leaving behind. He had come alone, looking for adventure, but was leaving with something far deeper: a connection, a friendship, and a memory that would stay with him forever.