Pranav in Dubai

Pranav was nearly 3 years old, which is a very important age if you ask Pranav. It is the perfect age for running everywhere, asking “why?” about everything, and making very serious decisions about snacks. When he arrived in Dubai with his parents, Sagar and Asha, Pranav quickly decided that this was going to be a very busy holiday. The airport itself was the first big adventure. Pranav stood at the huge glass windows, his nose almost touching them, watching airplanes take off and land. Every few minutes he would sigh happily and say, “Plane…” as if he had personally arranged for them all to fly. Sagar and Asha suspected that if anyone asked nicely, Pranav would probably let them borrow one of his airplanes for the day. Inwardly, he looked around for his Dadi-she was the one who came and went in planes in his little mind. But she was nowhere to be found. Did this mean he brooded? No way, he was too busy pushing unwanted trolley and exploring and window shopping around the airport. He never understood why his parents wanted to sit down and doze off!!! He did not think dozing was important so he did not let them.

Finally, he reached Dubai!!!

Dubai had many wonders, but Pranav’s favorites were the big fish. At the aquarium he pressed his tiny hands against the glass and stared at the enormous fish gliding past. Some were bigger than Pranav’s toy car collection. “Big fish!” he whispered in amazement, following them as they swam by. Later, at the beach, Pranav discovered something even better—sand and waves. He dug important holes, filled them up again, ran away from the waves, and then chased them bravely as they came back. The sea breeze made his hair fly around, and Pranav kept looking out at the water as if he might spot another fish friend swimming by.

All this adventure laden activities made Pranav very hungry, and Pranav had very clear ideas about food. His perfect meal included dosa dipped in honey, crunchy aloo chips, cool dahi, slices of cucumber, and sometimes a piece of fried fish which disappeared from his plate in 2 minutes. If anyone reached toward his chips, Pranav watched them carefully with wise sharp curious eyes.

After food came another favorite activity—bath time. The giant bathtub in the Dubai house felt like a swimming pool just for him. Pranav splashed happily and sailed shampoo bottles like boats. When he was not in the tub, he still practiced swimming by lying on the floor and kicking his legs furiously, proudly announcing to everyone, “Swimming!”

There were also important people to visit. One day Pranav met his daddy’s best friend and a little girl who was exactly his age. At first Pranav studied her carefully. But when she received a little too much attention from Mama Asha, Pranav quickly climbed onto her lap to remind everyone that Mama was very important to him. 

Luckily, the days were also filled with laughter and games with his beloved Appapan GK, who happily joined Pranav in car races, silly games, and long chats that only the two of them fully understood.

Even while having the best holiday, Pranav remembered someone special far away—his Dadu in Mumbai. When Dadu’s birthday came, Pranav helped cut a cake and clapped loudly while wishing him, “Happy Birthday, Dadu!” It was a very important job, and Pranav performed it with great seriousness and joy.

Soon the days in Dubai flew by, just like the airplanes Pranav loved to watch. There had been beaches, giant fish, yummy food, splashing baths, new friends, and wonderful time with Appapan. Finally, it was time to return home. At the airport again, Pranav watched the planes with the same shining eyes. This time one of them would take him back to Mumbai, where Dadu was waiting. Pranav waved happily at the sky, ready for the next adventure—because for a 3 year old explorer, the world was still full of airplanes, beaches, and many, many chips waiting to be eaten.