As the dream of most parents I had acquired a MBBS degree and passed PLAB to enter UK, the
land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the UK, 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 (maximum Permit Free Period) 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 chicken legs in KFC 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 as I 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 UK, after giving some money to my parents and telling
the neighbors to look after them, we (I was lucky and managed to get the visa of my wife early)
returned to UK.
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 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 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 (by now nearly cocos) 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 UK. My wife refused to come back with me and my children refused to stay in India.
My 2 children and I returned to UK after promising my wife I would be back for good after two
years.
ONE BEDROOM FLAT
100 Moral Stories 70
