ONE BEDROOM FLAT

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
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 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 y
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................!!!!

26th Jan Republic Day.

Actually the title of the blog has nothing to do with Republic Day...26th Jan is the important part of it. The reason why that title has been penned is just because i felt i should write something which i did on that day...finally after 48 full hrs here i am sitting down finally to punch some sense.

Early in morning there was patriotism in air as i attended the flag hoisting ceremony on our building terrace. There were speeches and performances by small kids less than half of my age. i was amazed at their brevity, i mean we at their age were literally kids....but these small advanced homo sapiens would be disgraced if we call them kids.

I came home and was happy to hear that their would be no load shedding today as this would be the govt's gift to us on republic day....good decision i thought...whoever might have thought, unknowingly i blessed him. Turned on my world space, took the book which was to be read. actually i should mention something about this book " Five Point Something" well its more about the life which an engg spends during his college days and by each and every page which i consumed reminded me of my college days....nostalgic haan....

It was afternoon...had my heavy lunch...was feeling sleepy...and there was this movie which i had to watch Rang De Basanti...so i thought i would slide in a cosy lil nap so that i am fresh in the evening....

My eyes wide opened...mom staring at me....."its 5 you dumbo" she said. and i was up on my feet...shit the its just 30 mins away from meeting my friends....then followed the RBM (rapid body movement) actually its a ritual which is followed every morning before i leave to my work place....but today is holiday...anyways i was already late. somehow i made it...probably i was fresh after that nap.

As i was walking with my friends to watch this latest Amir Khan flick...i just recollected the beautiful dream which came to me in the afternoon....suddenly there was this jerk....i cycle had just brushed me...i thought ...dreams are better remember on bed and not on roads...

Reached the theatre, met my friends, the movie started....we enjoyed...there was interval....we drank and ate....then tears rolled during some of the patriotic scenes...(of course i was not crying)...then the movie ended and it was a rocking experience....a good movie...worth the time spent.

Came home....only to know that there is this pathetic sabzi which mom had made....ate my chapatis with dal.....i thought i should have a look at the book "FPS"...as i was curious too know wat happens int he next chapter....though i finished the stuff i wanted to read...i was sure that i have to read it again the next day as i was almost on the brink of going asleep while reading.....i dont remember how did i reach my bed....but my mom says i walked on my own....boy oh boy was i inebriated....gosh this sleep has more power than "Chivas Regal".

26th jan ended.
Vande Mataram

Viki

WISHES>>>>>>

I would like to climb Mount Everest one day
I would like to land on Mars one day....and see my little blue planet from there
I would like to make a movie much more grand than LOTR
I would like to write a book which would sell more copies than all volumes of Harry Potter put together
I would like to be the president of a company one day
I would like to own a Island in the Hawaii
I would like to Fly
I would like to reach the deepest part of Ocean where no man has gone
I would like to swim with the dolphins
I would like to Eat all the delicasies available in the world
I would like to taste all the different types of alcohols in the world
I would like to Climb the tallest tree on this planet
I would like to like to kiss a girl on a lonely Island under the open sky at night
I would like to drive a bike at 350 Km/Hr
I would like to have alladins lamp

I would love if any one of the above wishes becomes a reality.....i have given GOD enough choices...now its his turn to choose .....

I think its our right to dream big....and each one of us should.....

Viki