"It's just buildings, Amma," he said gently. "Big buildings. That's all."
But it wasn't just buildings.
It was the feeling of being small in a world that looked too large.
Not Going Home Yet
They didn't go to their new apartment directly.
Bani's father had already decided — they would perform pooja before entering the new home properly. So that would be done the next morning.
For now, they booked a small rental apartment for two days.
When they entered the temporary place, grandmother looked slightly relieved. Smaller space. Fewer lights. Less shine.
After settling into the temporary apartment, Bani's father looked at the time.
"We should go now," he said. "We need groceries… and pooja items for tomorrow."
Bani's mother nodded. There was no rice, no oil, no basic supplies. And for the housewarming pooja, they needed turmeric, kumkum, agarbatti, camphor, flowers — everything.
Grandmother immediately said, "You all go. I will stay here."
Manu quickly added, "I'll stay with Ajji."
Bani looked at him suspiciously. "Or you just want to avoid carrying bags?"
He ignored her.
So it was decided — grandmother and grandson would stay in the temporary apartment.
Inside the Temporary Apartment
Once the door closed, the apartment felt quieter.
Grandmother slowly walked toward the window and looked outside again at the tall buildings. Cars moved in perfect lanes. No honking. No street vendors. No temple bells in the distance.
Manu flopped onto the sofa with his phone but soon noticed Ajji's silence.
"Ajji… you okay?" he asked casually.
She nodded. "Hmm."
But her eyes were still searching the skyline, as if trying to find something familiar.
Meanwhile, Bani walked beside her parents through a large supermarket.
Everything looked bigger than what she was used to — wide aisles, international brands, labels in Arabic and English.
Her mother carefully picked rice, dal, oil, sugar — checking prices twice.
Her father searched for a small pooja section.
Finally, they found incense sticks, camphor, turmeric, kumkum, a small diya. Flowers would be bought fresh in the morning.
Bani held the basket and looked around at the people.
Different nationalities. Different dressing styles. Different languages blending into one background hum.
This city didn't care who you were.
It didn't judge.
It didn't gossip.
It simply moved.
And maybe that's why her father chose it.
As they stood in the billing queue, her father looked at Bani and said quietly,
"New place. New rules. But values remain the same."
She nodded.
She understood.
Tomorrow, they would enter their new apartment with prayers.
They bought all the necessary things — rice, dal, oil, milk, sugar, pooja items.
Near the billing counter, Bani noticed fresh flowers that looked beautiful — bright and perfectly arranged. Her mother hesitated.
"Should we take now?" she asked.
Her father looked at the time and then at the unfamiliar streets outside the glass doors.
"We are new here. Let's not wander too much today," he said calmly. "We'll keep these in the fridge. Tomorrow morning we can use them for pooja."
So they bought the flowers too — carefully choosing the freshest ones — and headed back to their temporary apartment in Dubai Marina.
Back at the Apartment
Grandmother opened the door when they returned.
"Everything okay?" she asked.
"Yes," Bani's mother smiled. "Big shop… but we managed."
They arranged the groceries neatly. Milk in the fridge. Flowers gently wrapped and placed inside so they would stay fresh till morning.
The apartment slowly started feeling less temporary and more like theirs.
After traveling and walking around in the afternoon heat, everyone was tired. They decided to rest for a while.
8 PM – First Walk in Dubai
By 8 PM, they freshened up.
The sky outside had turned deep blue, and the city lights had taken over.
Since they were staying in the Marina area, they decided to step out for dinner nearby instead of cooking.
The moment they stepped outside, Bani paused.
Tall residential towers glittered like vertical galaxies. Lights reflected on the calm water. People walked confidently along the promenade — families, couples, joggers, tourists clicking pictures.
The air felt cooler now.
Grandmother walked slowly, holding her son's arm.
"This place is like cinema," she murmured.
Bani smiled.
For her, it didn't feel like cinema.
It felt like possibility.
They found a simple restaurant nearby — nothing too fancy for the first day. Familiar food felt comforting.
As they sat together, grandmother quietly observed everything — the languages, the faces, the discipline, the calmness.
Manu whispered to Bani, "If football practice ground looks like this, I'm ready."
She nudged him. "First find ground."
Her father looked around once more — tall buildings, clean streets, safety, order.
He didn't say it aloud.
But inside, he knew he had made the right decision.
This city would not shrink his children's dreams.
It would stretch them.
Dinner at the Marina
They settled into a cozy Indian restaurant along Dubai Marina. Through the glass walls, the water reflected the lights of the tall towers, shimmering like a moving painting.
A waiter handed them the menu.
For a moment, no one spoke. It was their first meal in a new country.
Bani's father finally said, "Let's order simple. Something everyone will eat."
After a little discussion, they ordered:
Paneer Butter Masala
Tandoori Roti & Naan
Fried Rice
White Rice with Dal Tadka
Idli & Vada
Sambar
Grandmother looked relieved when she heard "Idli and sambar."
"At least food is familiar," she said softly.
When the dishes arrived, the aroma filled the table. Steam rose from the dal. Butter glistened on the naan. The paneer curry looked rich and comforting.
Manu immediately tore a piece of naan.
"Same taste!" he declared dramatically.
Bani tasted the dal and smiled. "Little different… but good."
Her mother carefully served grandmother first.
Her father leaned back for a second, observing his family — tired but together, in a foreign city, eating familiar food.
No one spoke about fear.
No one spoke about the people they left behind.
For that one hour, it was just food, warmth, and quiet comfort.
Outside, the Marina lights reflected on the water.
Inside, around a simple restaurant table, a new chapter had officially begun.
Tomorrow would be pooja. Tomorrow would be entering their new home.
But tonight…
They were just a family, sharing their first meal in Dubai.