| Username |
Post |
| salakjith |
Posted
on 21-Feb-04 01:12 PM
Just for "ONE MORE BEDROOM" ........... ????
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 Nepal.
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 home sick 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
Macdonald'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 shopping 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 any more 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 Nepal increased to
twice in a week some times 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 Nepal so that they can see
their grand-children.
Every year I decide to go to Nepal. But part work part monetary
conditions prevented it. Years went by and visiting Nepal 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 Nepal. 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 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 Nepal 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 Nepal. My 2 children and myself 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 I had enough and
wound-up every thing and returned to Nepal. I had just enough money to
buy a decent two bed room 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 Nepal, 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 if 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........ ???? .
|
| Ram Prasad |
Posted
on 21-Feb-04 04:57 PM
Wow....man...good one.....Sorry for u dude...
|
| Biswo |
Posted
on 21-Feb-04 06:57 PM
Salakjit,
I am sorry to read all that. Obviously, this is not your autobiography, but may be something that you are afraid might happen to you in future. [Obviously, it is unlikely that both the parents become sick together and die together:-), and if you are sixty years old now, thirty five years ago, there was no 'software' boom to give you a degree and job!]
I encourage you to look at bright sides of whatever you have. Look, you may hate life in USA, but I had read about Chinese men/women who were packed in tomato boxes of a ship to get into USA. Some people break down in extreme grief when they are denied US visa at US embassy in KTM. So, cheer up. You have something that a lot of people are covetous of. Just use it properly, and in the way that makes you happy.
|
| M.P. |
Posted
on 21-Feb-04 07:04 PM
A saying goes, "When one door of happiness closes, several other doors open. But we concentrate so much on the closed door that we do not see the ones that have been opened for us."
|
| Biruwa |
Posted
on 22-Feb-04 09:43 AM
Indeed, how very real life like your story is!
I have observed the nepali couples and nepalis with families here in US. It is true that money is tight in their homes specially with kids.
On top of that any savings is taken by uncle sam by various means. If you live decently in da US, u don't save much.
salakjith, I can understand where you are coming from. I fact one of our neighbours in Nepal passed away about 4 years ago. His son had come to US for his studies and couldn't arrive in time to see his dad before death. He cam, did the rites and then flew back after 2 days since he was still studying at some community college in US.
So, your scenario is not that far-fetched. IT is real.
|
| Arnico |
Posted
on 22-Feb-04 12:12 PM
STOP PLAGIARISM!!!
Salakjith, if you read something interesting you are welcome to share it with us on Sajha. But DO NOT pretend that you wrote what you did not write. Please provide your sources.
This particular story was written by Iqbal A. Khan, an Indian software engineer. Here's a link to one of the web postings; I assume it's been posted elsewhere as well.
-http://www.contactpakistan.com/Communitylibrary/general/news126.htm
|
| u_day |
Posted
on 04-Mar-04 09:15 PM
Thank you arnico dai!
Thanks for pointing the 'khimmu' incident.
Nescient!
This is a classic example of 'khimu' incident.
|
| Rusty |
Posted
on 05-Mar-04 07:02 AM
LOL Arnico... nice catch. Nevertheless, nice story.
Uday.. now watch for any other Salakjitn incidents.
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