'was all this worth it? '

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 wanted 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 an was
actually enjoying shopping for gifts for all my relatives and 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 soon and they cannot wait for long.

After the marriage, it was time to return to USA, after giving some money
to my pare! nts and telling the neighbors to look after them, we (I was
lucky and managed to get the visa of my wife early) 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 as she also has to call her parents. 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 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 was stuck up in the procedures
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 rites the society
members had done whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents 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 enough is enough and
wound-up every thing and returned to India. I had just enough money to buy
a decent Two-be droom 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 place of worship. 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 rites, God Bless them.

But the question still remains 'was all this worth it? '

I am still searching for an answer................