The longest half an hour of my life!

It happened in Dubai. Mall of Emirates (MOE) to be exact. On a Saturday, January 27th, this year.

In my blog about Dubai-Abu Dhabi, I mentioned Ski Dubai. How the girls were only admiring it from a window glass in the mall. Wardah especially was begging us to buy the tickets.We did not plan to go in as Balqis at 2 years & 3 months was rather too small & not allowed to enter. It was very difficult reasoning with Wardah at that moment. While we were handling Wardah whining, all the kids including our friends' were assembling together. We finally managed to solve the problem as I saw an ice cream parlor right opposite of us. All the kids shifted their attention to the ice cream & like poking their noses to the glass trying to have a better look of the ice cream they wanted. Hubby was entertaining them. I switched on my Sony handycam & started shooting. That was when I realise one child was missing. My Balqis was not in our crowd!!

I got panic. Started observing around. The last time I saw her, she was happily playing with the other children at the window glass. I told hubby about it. He barked angrily at me. I knew it was my fault! I knew! But I did get into my senses. I reported to the security in charge. One of the them said that he saw the same description of girl. Showed the way she headed & I started trailing. Walking like a maniac stopping here & there listening hard with my ears & heart for any familiar cry or laughter of Balqis. During that time, I did not stop praying to God to please, please return my baby back to me.

As I stopped at a crossroad, following my instinct whether to go straight ahead, take either left or right, I saw another security. I stopped him & asked about my missing baby. He made my day by saying "Yes,we found her. Follow me!"

I found Balqis sobbing onto a lady's shoulder. She was wearing a uniform, so I assumed she was a security there too. Once I took Balqis, she cried & I cried. I thank God, really thankful to Him. I got back my baby. According to the lady, she found Balqis wondering about alone happily. She was minding her own business strolling alone. She cried only after the lady took her.

I just do not know how to describe my feelings within that half an hour. One thing for sure is that I've learned my lesson. I never had problems with Yasmin & Wardah when they were smaller. They were always tailing my butts. Not my Balqis. She hates strollers, car seats, high chairs anything that requires seat belts. Always wants to get free. I gave it a test. While waiting for my friend before going back, I let her walk freely. She took the opportunity wisely. Walked gaily & even made cheeky faces to passersby. Catching up with her from behind I could picture what really happened....