New Delhi, March 10 -- Dubai is my safe space, even after this past weekend. The building I live in, Dubai Marina, was struck by debris on Saturday night, one of the apartments several floors above mine was hit. At the time, we felt a sudden jolt; it felt like an earthquake. Too scared to step onto the balcony, where I could see small shards of glass scattered, I waited. The fire alarm went off, but the management informed residents that evacuation was required only on certain floors.

Somehow, I didn't feel the need to leave. Instead, I waited in the kitchen, which is located near the core of the building. I took refuge in my kitchen and an alert went off on my mobile that there was an incoming threat. My heart was in my hand.

Within an...