A Dubai resident, who has been trying in vain to reach a certain restaurant in Garhoud area for the past 6 months, has succumbed to deep frustration and overwhelming despair that pushed him to attempt putting an end to his own life.
What started as a routine family drive had suddenly turned into a tragedy, as the married man and father of four children was found near total, lethal suffocation in his home garage, authorities murmured.
Rescuers from a nearby hospital rushed to the scene after receiving a frantic call from the man's wife, on her not-so-slick mobile phone.
A smiling bank manager, slightly chubby around the waist and generally liked by his neighbours and most of his colleagues, Kim's life (his real name withheld pending investigation) was nothing but a series of ordinary, flat and mundane stuff much like everyone else.
"He is the last person on earth to try to commit suicide, I am shocked beyond belief," Kim's wife said shortly after he was revived by caring hospital staff running around in comfy shoes.
Fighting tears, passing onlookers and hospital accounting clerks who started calling her to settle the bill, the startled wife told her story.
"It all started when I asked him to take me and the kids to this restaurant in Garhoud. We heard so much about that place and we wanted to try the food there. Since we live on Shaikh Zayed road, my husband called for directions and he attempted to take us there many times; only each time we would lose our way and find ourselves in Sharjah, because he couldn't figure out the road! This went on for about 6 months - and every time we were lost we ended up in Sharjah, eating at a different restaurant. I had no idea what was happening inside my husband's head!"
Driven by frustration, bad temper and numerous unsuccessful attempts to reach the restaurant, Kim had apparently snapped and flipped; he attempted suicide by running the engine of his car inside a closed area while listening to loud techno music.
Calls to the bank, where Kim worked, were never returned except by monotonous recorded voices that offered a list of useless instructions that went in maddening circles.
Strange case
Police sources said, off the record, almost in a whisper, that the investigation in this strange case might be expanded to include other entities.
"Certainly we need to examine the road signs between the victim's house and Garhoud area - there could be some clues there as to why a respectable member of the community wanted to end his life in such a way - he was driven mad by something!" a police officer who declined identification was heard saying.
A psychologist who studies suicidal tendencies was quoted as saying: "This is not about a meal here or there. This is about enormous internal anger fuelled by haphazard detour signs creating a mouse-like entrapment inside a never-ending construction zone."
Angered by news of the incident, the Garhoud restaurant owner expressed his deep sorrow and sympathy. He later complained to reporters that this is not the first time he has lost a customer because of "stupid and wrongly placed detour signs".
"I am giving Kim and his family free meals for life, if they can figure out the way to my place - thanks to these signs out there!" the frustrated businessman said, barely able to hide his simmering disgust.
In response to some rumours caught by the media about delays plaguing the investigation, police sources denied wasting any time and confirmed they are working as fast as they can to resolve the case.
However, police sources admitted off the record that the only thing possibly delayed is the inspection of the restaurant in question - as detectives are still unable to figure out how to get there.
Ahmad Zahzah is a media consultant based in the UAE.
