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 …….
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