Icing on the Cake

~127~

I started to panic. I was going to be in Dubai. I was going to be in the United Arab Emirates. The Middle East. I focused on not hyperventilating.

Everyone got off the plane and walked into the airport. One younger looking security agency kept looking at me very strangely, suspiciously. He looked at me like I was guilty of something.

Oh God. He knew who I was. He knew what I am.

An English speaking custom came up to me after I had been waiting with the rest of the plane’s travelers in the airport. “You have to come with me.” He said in an intimidating, authoritative voice.

I terrifyingly followed him. He led me into a room and closed the door behind me, not saying anything. It looked like I was in a detaining room.

Oh God, I really was put in a jail. Was I being arrested? Oh God, I knew this would happen.

Being gay is illegal in this country. Punishable by life in prison, or even death.

I took out my phone, that, for some reason, they didn’t bother to confiscate. I quickly called Calum while tears fell down my face.

“Calum.” I said.

“Luke, what’s wrong?” He asked, worried. He could tell I was crying.

“The plane had to emergency land because of weather.” I said.

“Are you okay?”

“No.” I said. “We landed in Dubai.” I was sobbing. I could barely speak. “ I think they know what I am. They know I’m gay. That’s illegal in this country.”

Calum gasped in panic.

“Calum,” I said tears falling down my face in a hot mess, “They could kill me.”

Notes

This chapter was inspired by the experiences of Gigi Gorgeous in Dubai.