ONE BEDROOM FLAT...
WRITTEN BY AN INDIAN ENGINEER...
Dear
Friends, very touching article. Enjoy reading Every person those who are far
away from their parents for jobs should have to read this heart touching
mail!!!
ONE BEDROOM FLAT...
WRITTEN BY AN INDIAN
ENGINEER...
A
Bitter Reality
As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in 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.
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
neighbours 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 rites 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 everything
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 neighbours 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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