Finding My Way : A Night Out With The Elite Crowd in Dubai

Last night was spent very worthily as it was a friend's parents' 30th Wedding Anniversary and their relative's engagement party. More of like a double celebration. As I have only been in Dubai for the past 6 months, (actually only half the time of 6 months I was here. The other half was either on the plane or at other countries)I barely know many people. So this friend of mine, her father-in-law is the owner of an events management company in Dubai, which so happens to be a massive and well-known company to the society here.

To me, as like any typical Malaysian, when I was invited for the wedding anniversary, I thought it was just a simple get together by some friends, and have dinner, probably some drinks and that was it. Little did I know it was something big and posh, which was some black suit and dinner gowns kinda thing.

While I was in the car and we were approaching the villa, I could hear loud music, and colourful lights flashing with a stage and a disco ball. Immediately, I looked at myself thinking,"Am I wearing something nice enough? Do I really look ok? What if someone asks me what am I doing here when I am not famous?" I was so nervous I was practically shitting bricks!

I was in a black gown, which was one of the gifts from my ex-boyfriend and high-heels straps. My hair was straight (naturally!) and I did some curls on the sides and back. I had slight make-up on just to enhance the attire I was in, not knowing what I was about to face. I must say I looked pretty decent with a black bare-backed dress but my wrist was wrapped in gauze made me look like Mike Tyson's girlfriend in a dress!!

I got out of the car, palms sweating, gripping onto my purse with my good hand and my bandaged hand was just hanging off my shoulder. The moment I set a foot past the villa gates, everyone just stopped talking and turned their faces towards me. I was struck with a moment of silence and was dumbfounded. By the way, did I forget to mention that these friends of mine were a mix of Indians and Pakistanis? So I was the only non-Indian person at the party. You seriously have no idea how I felt, For one, I felt as though I was in India, being in a confined area filled with so many of them! They were just starring at me!! Whatever I did, wherever I moved and whatever I said. Everyone were speaking in Hindi and that made me felt even more left out. So I did what I did best, I tried mingling and observed many people.

There were cameras everywhere, photographers and also video cameras. These were people from the press. I seriously had no idea that my friend's father-in-law was such a well-renowned person in Dubai. When I was at the gates, I was saved for a split moment by one of the press asking for my photo. I was asked to step outside the gates where there were decorations with flowers and also away from the rest of the crowd. After that, I went inside and looked for the host of the villa to congratulate him. He is such a sweet man. Very kind and humble but yet influencial.

The stage was filled with the younger crowd dancing and shaking their thang to the Indian R&B tunes. The music was excellent thanks to their talented DJ. I was dragged many times to the floor to the Hindi tunes. Dumbstruck and didn't know what the lyrics mean, I just did what the rest of them did, and I guess it turned out pretty well. (In another prespective, I made a fool out of myself) I was told by the host of the party that everyone was wondering who I was as I was the centre of attraction last night (Hey, if the situatiuon was reversed, like one Indian in an all Malaysian-Chinese party.... you know what I mean). So apparently according to the host, I was supposed to be his girlfriend last night.

After staying the whole night last night outdoors at 35 degree celcius, everyone left pretty early. The older crowd left at midnight and all of us were left having a good time on the dance floor. I met some nice chaps who were having nice conversations with me..at least while it lasted. They were talking to me nicely and then after a few sentences and one whisper from one guy to another behind my back, they all left me sitting alone. Was it what I said? Was is how I said it? I thought I did something wrong. Little did I know that there was some guy who was THREATENING all the guys to stay away from me.

The party was fun for me at least. Apparently there were some pretty important people there as well, which I have no idea who but I guess I will find out in the papers or magazines soon! So much for my first experience in an elite social get-together!