![1453028628566[1]](https://acookingpotandtwistedtales.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/14530286285661.jpg)
The call for prayers blared through the loud speakers, the pull of the voice sounds compelling, but prayers are the furthest thing on Aashish’s mind.
He feels sad. He has no money to apply for residence visa for his wife and two daughters to join him and the much that he earns is barely enough to tide him over, after he had sent some home.
It’s Sunita’s birthday today, he thought that by now they would have been with him.
His children are growing up without him and yet the fortune that he sought, leaving them behind eluded him.
He pulls out the crumpled, almost faded picture of his family. It was taken years back in one of the quick snap booths, on one of their rare visits to town. It has been five long years, since he last set eyes on them. He has failed them and his shoulders slump further.
Sometimes his spirits are buoyed with stories of people winning lotteries and he struggled to buy a ticket, but it was always someone else who won.
He felt he was better off back home on his farm in Nepal and doing odd jobs to augment their meagre income.
At least he will get to be with his family again and he will be happier again and Anu will understand, he hopes.
Being away from his wife has been the hardest part. The fees for entertaining himself with one of the willing ladies was just too much luxury for him.
With a sigh of pent up emotions, he fished out his rubber-bound telephone from his pocket and dialed his brother’s number.
Hello Aadit, tell Anu that I am coming home, he said.
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
From my neighbours yards, I harvested these thoughts and would like to share them with you.
Feeding The Tiger, Fighting The Lions, from Deborah Crocker.
Getting That Book Constructed For Submission, from Connie Jasperson
How to easily find time for stress free blogging , from Janice Wald
I enjoyed reading Life Lessons from voyager of freedom.
Curative list of 2016 writing competitions from Yelhispressing
A little teaser for you from A Momma’s view.
A tale of two dips, from what’s for dinner moms.
a cooking pot and twisted tales 
So much sadness, frustration and truth in your story. Very moving writing.
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Thank you Bernadette. I think that the people who are going through frustration far outweighs those who are content in our World.
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How very sad, but probably life for many striving for something better
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Truly. It’s really not easy on a whole lot of people.
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I’m sure you tell the story of very many migrant workers in Dubai, it’s very sad.
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Yes indeed sis. The struggle is real.
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The story touched me because some family members are typically mentally ailing to appreciate their families and desire to be with them. This man recognizes the value of being with the ones he loves. I carry my love ones deep in my soul until God unites us. Thanks sis,xo blessings
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I love these words of yours Emma. It’s really sad when family members fail to appreciate each other which shouldn’t be that way.
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Sad story, that happens so often. The dream never seems to materialise and nobody wins.
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True. The dreams are always far-fetched.
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Wonderful story Jacqueline!
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A bit sad but true. Thank you Joy.
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Such a heartfelt, tragic story. Sad, but real.
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Very real. I see faces of poverty in the midst of wealth
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Hi Jacqueline,
Thank you so much for featuring my article on your site. I am flattered! I appreciate the exposure to new readers! Thoughtful of you to think of me! Thank you!
Janice
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My utmost pleasure Janice. I am happy that you liked it 🙂
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Ah, sad but so very true.
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Very true. It surprises me that as the World grows, poverty still lingers.
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Yes, and I am afraid it will become worse.
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It really doesn’t bear dwelling on
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No, it doesn’t…
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Heartbreaking.
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Very much so. Sometimes, it’s really hard staring poverty in the face.
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Agreed.
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Very beautiful but sad story ❤
Thank you for sharing my link, much appreciated it ❤
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Sad is the word Nadine.
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Sometimes the families of the workers want them to continue to work in the rich states so they can continue living in comparative luxury ( as against those whose families were not lucky to send someone to work there).
In the old times, people used to travel by dhow boats to cities, purportedly having gold paved streets. Many lost their lives on this long and perilous journey- those that survived found that their life was not much different from the life they left behind. The only thing was that being apart from their loved ones, made them immune to their daily sufferings because they were going through so much more pain here ( in the cities of gold). As they say, El Dorado is always elusive.
Susie
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You have summed it up very nicely Susie. You comment actually reads like a story in itself. The cities of gold are certainly perilous and always, always elusive.
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I feel for him. It is very difficult to work not in your own country, away from your loves one & family.
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Not an easy feat at all.
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Beautiful story Jacqueline 🙂 I can definitely relate to the over-arching idea. Sometimes what you go after does not end up in your lap and the cons outweigh the pros. Beautiful things most certainly take time to come to us. Thank for sharing!
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Those things that we want truly take time and a lot of work to get to us. Not easy peasy. My joy is sharing.
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