Is it worth ?

ONE BEDROOM FLAT... WRITTEN BY AN 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 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. I 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 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................!!!!