Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa is an iconic destination in Dubai. For most people, it is a tourist destination and a great place to have fun. But for me, I have an emotional connection that dates back nearly ten years ago. My extended family loved spending time in Burj Khalifa. It was a lovely scene that would thrill even those who do not consider themselves fans of the outdoors. The play areas are magnificent, the shopping malls are great, and the environment is immaculate and lovely. For the largest part, I have always looked forward to visiting this place over the years, despite the many years I have been here and spent quality time with friends and family.
Growing up, I always wanted to become a great swimmer. I loved watching people swim, but was frightened by the thought of getting inside a large water mass resembling the swimming pool. So, while I have admired people swim and enjoy themselves in pools and beaches, my fear of water had kept me away from swimming for nearly the whole of my childhood. But I kept reminding and encouraging myself that I would overcome that fear.
In the summer of 2014, my extended family and some of my friends spent the holiday at Burj Khalifa. As usual, it was amazing. The people, food, and music were great. The water was equally inviting, but then again, my fear of large water bodies would not allow me to go in. My best friend, Hannah, always enjoyed swimming and laughed at me for being afraid of water. However, my emotional attachment with Burj Khalifa would start on this special summer vacation. As usual, Hannah jumped into the pool, and I sat down there, flipping through my social media, trying to get the latest gossip on celebrities across the world. She seemed to be having great fun, and the water was amazing.
And out of nowhere, something strange happened. Hannah seemed to have drowned and was not moving deep down the pool. I could see her through the transparent water, but she was not moving at all. I panicked, called for help, and realized that no one was around the pool. It was just her and me. Adrenaline kicked in, and I jumped into the water. I did not even think about my fear of large water bodies. On reaching where Hannah was, I heard a bubble and then a burst of laughter. It was a setup, and she had instructed all our friends and family members not to join us at the swimming pool. She wanted to get me into the water. And she succeeded. While I was furious at her for getting my heart racing, I was also happy to have overcome my fear of water. Burj Khalifa became the place where my fear of large water bodies triumphed, and I started having an emotional connection with the place the same day. Anytime I visit the place, it reminds me of that emotional imbalance from the thought of losing my friend to learning how to swim.
In the summer of 2018, the emotional connection was cemented when Hannah, my best friend since childhood, got engaged to her boyfriend, Abdul. The proposal had been organized in the same spot where Hannah had tricked me into jumping into the water. Abdul and I planned the whole proposal. In a sense, I wanted to get back at her, but I was also dying to keep the secret. When it finally happened, Hannah and I formerly carved our names in one of the stones to mark our emotional connections. For us, Burj Khalifa is not just a tall building attracting tourists; it has a deeper emotional connection that dates back several years.