Friends..this time I am sharing with you a mail I received ...really its HEART TOUCHING
ONE BEDROOM FLAT
written by a 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 Indiaso 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
Indiawas 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 Indiato 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 USAafter
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…….
15 comments:
makes a lot of sense..
It's not just about an extra bedroom,it's about staying away from the people you love and who love
yea...ryt....now i knw...why my parents dont want me n my bro to go n stay in abroad for long time
parents always wish their children to stay as near as psbl...they r nt happy with technology..video chat or calls
story of a typical software engineer like me. sad but true.
Well I totally LOVE my country (most of the times, at least!!) and am not leaving it for good kabhi bhi.
I mean, honestly! I can't even imagine staying indoors all the time with no one to talk to about the silly things in life, no building/colony get togethers, no eating gol gappas on the road, no playing stapu/sun-moon-water-land....no men peeing on the roads, no unnecessary honking of the cars, no hundreds of cows and dogs roaming around like kings and queens...oops!! I was supposed to talk abt the good things, he he.
See I think it's completely ok to go out and see the world as long as you have your priorities set right. If home's where your heart is, that's where you will be, sooner rather than later.
Cheers
@sam
exactly...its pitiful.... we make plans for future..to earn for future...but land in something else..
hugs and cheers
@bondgal_rulz
i m sure u gonna leave india once u get married :P
lolzz...nice...gawdd :D
keep visiting dear and review my posts
cheers
Hell no!! I'd be leaving very much before I get married. Might return married though. :P Lol
And geez!! I can't even stand the thought of my kids calling me by my first name!! *Shudders*
Sure will, sure will. :)
Cheers
shud i say congrats in advance??? :D
situation will b worse if ur kids start flirting with u :P :P
he he
sure...welcome
Cheers
Hmmm....thanks in advance. :P
Eeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!! You're gross man!!!!
No cheers!! :P
irrrrr.....just kidding :D........
it wont happen in future if u say cheers :D
Cheers
this post simply says it all.....
glad to be here..to read ur views..
zindagi ki daud mei hum kya kya kar jaate hei..
ki hum khud ko hi bhool jaate hein
overtly sad..
hope..ppl do realize it bfore it's too late:)
oops am sorry.i missed the first line.
nyway...it does include ur views ..as u've beed inspired by it to post it her
cheers
pj
:)
@Priya
its very sad tht we r running after dollars
nywazz thankx for dropping by....do chk my oder posts and keep visiting :)
cheers :)
Sad story, but it is never too late to live a life even if it is in the one small bedroom apartment. And no it wasn't worth it. I am not 60 years old, but almost forty, and took me a while to realize how important family is over career. The sad part is that we need money to live too, damn....Excellent heart felt story. Anna :)
@Anna
even if i m much much younger to u, i too felt the same..balance hould be maintained
but altogether family shud b kept as top priority..m i ryt?
Post a Comment