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 something 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. I 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...
- Written by an Indian Software Engineer... (Bitter Reality)
