- 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 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 were 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 were
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 2 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?'

www.citehr.com/3666-one-bedroom-flat-indian-software-engineers-life.html

Touched! Software engineers in the state dnt earn much? NO! They do....may be just for the story...nice one.

This story actually worries me the most because am to make a choice Work here in Mauritius or stay in Nigeria, sadly the situation in Nigeria doesn't encourage my decision. my family,girlfriend, clients are in Nigeria but the cost of doing things over there is just way way way too expensive the power issue,internet. its depressing. nice article though

Touching

Its painful

,.....................

Stuff like this make me think twice abt becoming a developer

what a touching story

The phrase "ONE EXTRA BEDROOM" got me laughing.