INDIAN SOFTWARE ENGINEER STORY

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 …….

Posted in: moral