The bright lights of the arcade inside Dubai Marina Mall pulled Manu in the moment he saw them.
Machines blinked in red, blue, and neon green. Digital music mixed with laughter and the sounds of racing engines, basketball buzzers, and electronic beeps.
For a few seconds, he just stood there.
It reminded him of the small game centers he had occasionally seen before — but this one felt bigger, brighter, and more exciting.
Bani walked to the counter and bought a game card.
"Don't waste it," she said playfully as she handed it to him.
Manu nodded seriously… but the excitement in his eyes gave him away.
The First Game
The first machine he tried was a racing simulator.
He sat in the molded seat, gripping the steering wheel. The screen in front of him lit up with a racetrack stretching across mountains and sharp curves.
The moment the race started, he leaned forward instinctively.
The engine sound roared through the speakers.
Left turn. Right turn. Acceleration.
For a few minutes, nothing else existed.
He forgot the travel.
He forgot the unfamiliar apartment.
He forgot the loneliness.
It was just him and the race.
When the race ended, he didn't come first — but he finished high enough to earn a few bonus points on the card.
He looked at Bani proudly.
"Not bad," she said, smiling.
The Second Game
Next, he moved toward a basketball arcade machine.
The timer started counting down as orange balls rolled toward him.
He grabbed one quickly and threw.
Miss.
Second ball — hit.
Third ball — swish.
Soon he found the rhythm.
Throw. Grab. Throw again.
The buzzer grew louder as the final seconds approached. By the end of the round, the machine flashed his score.
Not perfect — but good enough to earn a small prize ticket.
He looked surprised.
"I won something?"
Bani laughed. "Looks like it."
The Third Game
For the final game, he tried a reaction challenge machine where bright buttons lit up randomly and the player had to hit them as quickly as possible.
Lights flashed across the board.
His hands moved fast — hitting one button after another.
The faster he reacted, the higher the score climbed.
When the timer ended, the machine beeped loudly.
Another win.
This time the machine printed a few prize tickets.
Manu held them like they were trophies.
He had played three games.
Two wins.
And one good race.
Before they realized it, an hour and a half had passed inside the arcade.
For the first time since arriving in the new city, Manu felt normal again — like a kid just having fun.
The Quiet After
But after all the excitement, tiredness slowly returned.
The travel from the previous day… the new place… the unfamiliar surroundings.
Manu leaned against the railing outside the arcade area.
Bani noticed immediately.
He wasn't just physically tired.
There was still a small loneliness inside him — the quiet feeling of not having friends around yet.
She didn't point it out.
Instead, she simply said, "Let's sit for a while."
They walked slowly through the mall and then stepped outside toward the marina promenade.
The night air felt cooler there.
Boats rested quietly in the water while lights from the surrounding towers reflected on the surface like shimmering ribbons.
Bani pointed toward the marina.
"See those yachts?"
Manu nodded.
"And those buildings… some of them have swimming pools on the top floors."
"Really?"
"Hmm."
They walked slowly, talking about random things.
School.
Games.
The tall towers around them.
Little by little, the heaviness in Manu's mood faded.
Being with his sister made everything feel easier.
Soon he was laughing again — the lively version of himself returning.
Lunch at the Marina
After some time, Bani looked at the time.
"Hungry?"
Manu didn't even answer.
His stomach answered first.
So they walked into Carluccio's, a cozy Italian restaurant inside the mall.
The warm lights and smell of fresh food made the place feel welcoming.
Bani had traveled quite a bit for shoots and projects over the years. Because of that, she had become familiar with many different food cultures and menus.
She studied the menu calmly.
Manu, meanwhile, stared at unfamiliar names.
"Have you ever eaten pasta?" she asked.
He shook his head.
"Today you will."
She ordered something simple and comforting.
• White sauce pasta — creamy and rich.
• Grilled chicken breast — light and healthy.
Manu's First Pasta
When the food arrived, Manu looked curious.
The pasta sat in a bowl, coated in a thick creamy white sauce with herbs sprinkled on top.
He picked up the fork awkwardly.
"Just try," Bani encouraged.
He twirled the pasta slowly and took his first bite.
For a moment he said nothing.
Then his eyes widened.
"This is… good."
Bani laughed softly.
"Of course."
The creamy sauce, soft pasta, and mild flavor were completely new to him — different from the spicy food he was used to.
He took another bite.
And another.
Soon he wasn't talking anymore.
Just eating.
The grilled chicken was simple and juicy, perfect after the long evening of walking and playing games.
By the time they finished, Manu leaned back in his chair.
"Today was good," he said quietly.
Bani looked at him.
The tired boy who had been restless in the apartment earlier was now relaxed, smiling, and full.
Sometimes, a new city didn't feel so strange anymore.
Sometimes, all it took good food, and the right company
The crowds had thinned a little. The bright shop lights reflected on the smooth water between the tall towers. A few yachts moved slowly through the marina, their lights gliding across the dark surface.
Manu walked beside Bani,
"Did you like the pasta?" Bani asked while they walked toward their building.
Manu nodded immediately.
"It was different… but good."
"Next time we'll try something else."
He thought about that seriously for a moment, then smiled.
"Okay."
They continued walking along the quiet pathways toward their apartment building. The tall towers around them looked even more impressive at night, their windows glowing like thousands of small stars.
Soon they reached the entrance of their building and took the elevator upstairs.
When the apartment door opened, a familiar sound greeted them.
The television.