The Immigrant Child Remorse

 Just a little heads-up before I start a series of these posts - 

I just came back from a 3-week vacation in India. The next few posts, including this one, will document my observations from my "India days." 

Now to the "Immigrant child remorse" -

As a son/daughter who left parents behind in India, you get to hear this a lot - "You are settled there? You left your parents back home to fend for themselves, right?" 

Sometimes with a sad undertone, sometimes mocking, sometimes angry. But everyone who knows your parents and meets you on your India trip makes sure to ask this question. 

Sometimes the question comes on its own - After a pause in the conversation. Sometimes, while they are talking about the good times they have with your parents, they just inject the question. Sometimes, while talking about their own kids, this question pops up. 

Whatever the situation or the emotion of the question is, what could be the answer? Do you know, reader? 

Have you been in such a situation? Have you been asked this question? What was your reply?

Me? I always answer, "Haha, yes!" And that is all. 

Initially, the question hit me hard. Made me feel guilty. Stole my happiness. A remorse that I've never felt before. At those times, my answer used to be silence. 

Then, I started analyzing - the people who ask the question. Most of the times, they are the ones with children abroad. They experienced the void and the question hung on their heads, unanswered. Because their children wouldn't answer them, they ask it to others' children who are in the same situation. For them, that's my answer - "Haha, yes!"

There are only a very few, who are genuinely concerned. They are the ones who stand by our parents in times of need and emergency. I respect these people and honour the question. To such people, I'm grateful and my reply is silent respect and gratitude.