Walls Make a House

 

 

“Hey, come in guys. I’ve been waiting for you,” said Sameer as he welcomed a few old friends from school. The guys went inside and made themselves comfortable on the couch.

“So how have you been, Sameer?” asked Jay.

“I’ve been great since I moved to America! This house, this job, this life is beyond my wildest imagination.

“That’s so good to hear,” said Jai. “Where are your wife and daughter?”

Sameer hesitated for a moment and then replied, “they had to go to India for some urgent work.”

Jay was a keen observer and realised something was amiss. But for the moment he did not probe further.

 

“Come I’ll show you my house guys,” said Sameer.

The guys were in awe of the lavish house Sameer owned. It was a five-bedroom villa equipped with all the latest facilities. An in-house gymnasium, a temperature-controlled swimming pool and a movie room. 

“This is amazing, Sameer,” said Jay.

Sameer’s heart swelled with pride.

They spent a relaxed evening talking and drinking. It was followed by a lavish dinner which was cooked by his chef and served by a butler. Sameer’s friends were mighty pleased. After dinner, the guys decided to leave.

“You guys go ahead,” said Jay. “I’ll stay a little longer.”

 

Once everyone had left, Sameer and Jay went outside and sat by the pool.

“You want a drink?” asked Sameer.

“No thanks! I think we have had enough.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, just sit down. So, tell me what’s the matter?” asked Jay.

“What do you mean?” asked Sameer in return.

“I have been noticing, I think something’s not right. You are trying to hide something behind the pomp and show of this house.”

Sameer was quiet for some time.

“Same old Jay,” he said and sighed. “I’m not happy brother.”

“I can see that,” replied Jay.

“I, actually, what I want to say,” Sameer couldn’t find the right words.

“Come on Sameer, we have been friends for so long. Don’t hold back, just say what you want to say.”

 

“I have everything I need. I have all the luxuries a man can want, but I’m not happy,” said Sameer.

“Where are your wife and daughter?”

“They are in India. But they have left me for good,” said Sameer, his eyes welled up with tears.

“Why?” Jay said aloud, he was shocked.

“This lifestyle you see came at a price. The price was my time. I worked and still work almost 18 hours a day, six days a week. I never have time for anything else. I am constantly under pressure and unknowingly I vented it out on them very often. She kept saying she would prefer to live in a small but peaceful home rather than tolerate the cacophony in this large house. Eventually it got too much for them so she left with my daughter.”

“What about your parents?” asked Jay.

“I haven’t spoken to them in a long time. In my busy schedule I never got time to call them. They would call me often but I couldn’t answer. Eventually they started calling only on Sundays and since my wife and daughter left, they have neither called nor answered my calls.”

 

“You know Sameer, walls make a house. But it is the people living in it that make it a home. My friend, you earned and built yourself a house but you failed in making a home for yourself,” said Jay.

“I know,” replied Sameer. “I have come so far and lost so much. I wish I could go back and mend things.”

“You know that’s not possible. But you know what? You can always start today! Make today the first day of a new life. A life where you give as much importance to your family as you do to your work. What's the worth of a man’s life unless he can come home to the blessings of his parents, to the warm embrace of his wife and to a smile from his daughter?”

“You’re right Jay, but what can I do now?”

“Just email your boss, tell him you’ll be out for a couple of weeks. Go to India, apologise to your family and get them and your life back! You have a beautiful house, now it’s time to make it a cosy home!”

“Yes!” said Sameer. “You’re right. That’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

He immediately brought out his laptop and emailed his boss about not being there for a couple of weeks. Through a ticketing website, he booked a ticket to India, on the earliest flight available.

“When is your flight?” asked Jay.

“Day after tomorrow.”

“I’ll drop you to the airport.”

“Jay, I cannot thank you enough brother! You are a godsent angel” said Sameer and hugged him.