Interesting Mail Forwards

ONE BEDROOM FLAT... AN INDIAN SOFTWARE ENGINEER'S LIFE...

- A Bitter Reality

As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree
in Software Engineer 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 as 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................!!!!

With warm regards,
By an Indian Software Engineer