Written by
An Indian Software Engineer "A Bitter
Reality"
As the dream of most parents I had
acquired a degree in Software
Engineering and joined a company
based in USA, the land of braves and
opportunity. When I arrived in the USA,
it was as if a dream had come true.
Here at last I was in the place where I
want to be. I decided I would be
staying in this country for about Five
years in which time I would have
earned enough money to settle down
in India.
My father was a government employee
and after his retirement, the only asset
he could acquire was a decent one
bedroom flat.
I wanted to do some thing more than
him. I started feeling homesick and
lonely as the time passed. I used to call
home and speak to my parents every
week using cheap international phone
cards. Two years passed, two years of
Burgers at McDonald's and
pizzas and discos and 2 years watching
the foreign exchange rate getting
happy whenever the Rupee value went
down.
Finally I decided to get married. Told
my parents that I have only 10 days of
holidays and everything must be done
within these 10 days. I got my ticket
booked in the cheapest flight. Was
jubilant and was actually enjoying
hopping for gifts for all my friends back
home. If I miss anyone then there will
be talks. After reaching home I spent
home one week going through all the
photographs of girls and as the time
was getting shorter I was forced to
select one candidate.
In-laws told me, to my surprise, that I
would have to get married in 2-3 days,
as I will not get anymore holidays.
After the marriage, it was time to
return to USA, after giving some money
to my parents and telling the neighbors
to look after them, we returned to USA.
My wife enjoyed this country for about
two months and then she started
feeling lonely. The frequency of calling
India increased to twice in a week
sometimes 3 times a week. Our
savings started diminishing.
After two more years we started to
have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a
girl, were gifted to us by the almighty.
Every time I spoke to my parents, they
asked me to come to India so that they
can see their grand-children.
Every year I decide to go to India… But
part work part monetary conditions
prevented it. Years went by and visiting
India was a distant dream. Then
suddenly one day I got a
message that my parents were
seriously sick. I tried but I couldn't get
any holidays and thus could not go to
India ... The next message I got was my
parents had passed away and as there
was no one to do the last rights the
society members had done whatever
they could. I was depressed. My
parents had passed away without
seeing their grand children.
After couple more years passed away,
much to my children's dislike and my
wife's joy we returned to India to settle
down. I started to look for a suitable
property, but to my dismay my savings
were short and the property prices had
gone up during all these years. I had to
return to the USA...
My wife refused to come back with me
and my children refused to stay in
India... My 2 children and I returned to
USA after promising my wife I would
be back for good after two years.
Time passed by, my daughter decided
to get married to an American and my
son was happy living in USA... I decided
that had enough and wound-up every
thing and returned to India... I had just
enough money to buy a decent 02
bedroom flat in a
well-developed locality.
Now I am 60 years old and the only
time I go out of the flat is for the
routine visit to the nearby temple. My
faithful wife has also left me and gone
to the holy abode.
Sometimes
I wondered was it worth all this?
My father, even after staying in India,
Had a house to his name and I too
have the same nothing more.
I lost my parents and children for just
ONE EXTRA BEDROOM.
Looking out from the window I see a
lot of children dancing. This damned
cable TV has spoiled our new
generation and these children are
losing their values and culture because
of it. I get occasional cards from my
children asking I am alright. Well
at least they remember me.
Now perhaps after I die it will be the
neighbors again who will be
performing my last rights, God Bless
them.
But the question still remains 'was all
this worth it?'
I am still searching for an
answer.................!!!
START THINKING
IS IT JUST FOR ONE EXTRA
BEDROOM???
LIFE IS BEYOND THIS …..DON'T JUST
LEAVE YOUR LIFE ……..
START LIVING IT …….
LIVE IT AS YOU WANT IT TO BE …
