Today I would like to share a story with other readers. This story is based on true incidents and its about my friend Manju. Manju is a 41 year old female who has two kids her husband is working in one of the gulf country. Her both daughters are studying and she is a very kind person but living a struggling life at the moment. . I know Manju from past so many years, she is basically from a metro city and 13 years ago after her marriage she went to gulf with her husband Vijay. That time Manju was very happy she had a happy family, a caring husband everything was going well. She used to visit India once a year and was adjusted fully in other foreign land. Before her marriage she used to work in India in a private firm but after marriage she was very pleased living as a homemaker, taking care of all her family needs was her favourite task. She was very lucky, Vijay loved her very much and used to look after all her needs. She had two beautiful daughters and many lovely friends there. Her parents and full family back home in India were also content as the couple was living a good life and setting things in life.
It was an arranged marriage but it looked like love marriage to others. Both husband wife was so supporting towards each other. Manju was glad her husband was a honest human, a loving husband and a heartwarming father. Though her in laws used to show some displeasure, as they wanted their daughter- in-law to be from a town. Manju was from a city, she was educated and she could tell easily what is wrong and what is right to her husband. Vijays parents always treated him as their ATM machine although he had taken very good care of his family back home. Yet his parents used to think he must concentrate on them and his siblings but not on his married life. But Manju always avoided these petty things and she knew that her husband is always there.
Vijay was very kind and helping person. He used to do help to all his friends, relatives in one or other way. But he was so simple that sometimes people used to take advantage of his nature. Manju used to explain to him many times that helping the person in need is very good but you should not close eyes and trust anyone. Their life was going smooth also with her lovely nature Manju had many friends in that. foreign land.
Manju couldn't even think to stay away from her husband and they used to go together to India and come back together only. But she didn't know what bad was her future storing for them. Her husband Vijay lost his job but as he had some investments so he tried to start his own setup and Manju supported him in this. They broke their bank investments, jewellery for this business and started in with a partnership. In some months they got some good and positive results, Vijays partner Surya suggested to put some more money in their business so they get good profit. Vijay took loan from bank, thinking their life is coming back on track. Vijay, Manju and their kids used to pray everything goes well as due to financial problem they all had to do many adjustments with their everything. Manju used to do cost cutting in her kitchen, now they shifted to a studio apartment to save money. Vijay also used to work hard and save money by one or other way. Though Manjus kids were small but they knew something is wrong due to their fathers job loss.
But one fine day when Vijay was waiting for his partner Surya outside one of his clients office he got a big surprise when the client told him few things about his partner. Vijay came to know that Surya had not done any payments to the client. Vijay was continuously calling and waiting for Surya but his phone was switched off. He was not even replying any messages. Vijay got suspicious and he went to Surya's place and he got dumbstruck by reaching their. Watchman of Suryas building told him that he fled to India the previous night. Vijay found that Surya had gone with his full family and also some more hidden facts revealed about him. Vijay and Manju were totally sad and they tried all possible ways to reach to Surya but in vain. Even Surya's family in India used to say they have no idea where he was and they were not aware about the money he got with him. Vijay lost all his money, business due to his partners deception. The consequences of trusting Surya were severe.
Vijay was depressed he knew that now he has to pay all the payments to clients and the banks. Manju didn't know how to help but to come out from this they decide to sell their property in india and settle this all. One month later Manju and kids shifted to India as Vijay had no job, no money for business so he could not afford his family their anymore. That moment was very hard for all of them as now they had to stay apart due to these circumstances. They decided that first Vijay will get a job and settle all financial liabilities there and then they will get their family life back. But things turned bad due to recession lot of people lost jobs and the market was very slow and down. Though hard working Vijay always wanted to come up positively and he used to do all small and short work to make money and pay bills.
In India Manjus life was also not good, she was shocked to see her inlaws, many of her closed friends and relatives started ignoring them. They all knew about Manjus financial situation and no one wanted to help. Now Manju was living in a town with her nagging in laws. who think they did wrong investment and lost money. They could understand that Vijay is no more a ATM but a dried one. Her in laws never supported her financially or even morally. She had already taken much help from her parents side so she decided to handle this all by herself. Vijay could not send her good amount monthly as he was paying to banks there. Manjus daughters were growing big and they could understand how their mom and dad were struggling. Manju started giving tutions in her society with that money she used to run her household. Her sister in laws often used to taunt them about their past foreign life and make fun.
It's been five years now and day before yesterday I got her contact number from one of my old friend. I called Manju and I was excited to hear her voice she told me Vijay is still working in gulf and getting legal things fix there. His partner had taken all his hard earned money and still untraceable. Vijay only visits them once in two years as the air ticket etc, are costly. Her elder daughter is pursuing law and both her daughters are very sensible. They support their mother fully and don't let their grandparents tantalize their mom unnecessarily. Manju told me how hard she finds life without Vijay, She can't share everything and anything with her daughters, she wants her family life back. She can feel how her husband is struggling there and they both are doing this all for sake of their daughters.
Manju is still giving tutions, her elder daughter helps her in classes. She has so many hopes and dreams that one day everything will be fine her old good time will come back. She will again live with her husband and have her mental peace back. She told me how one big financial loss led them to such deep trouble. Vijays own relatives, their friends still avoids them as they think if he may ask for some financial aid. She doesn't have her own house, her jewellery all other assets gone, but she says this challenging time has made her relationship with Vijay more stronger. She has learnt value of money. Though one more lesson that they have learned, is that when you have money everyone will consider you nearest and closed and when you run out of this your loved ones, near friends vanish. But she says now she knows who are their real well wishers. Her daughters don't make any unnecessary expenses and they know the difference between need and demand.
I wrote this all about my dear friend Manju as I know many people can relate to this situation. Money matters and seeing your kids in deprivation is frightening but if you have the will and strong support of your family you can make it fine again. In coming vacations I am planning to meet her want to see how my friend is coping with this all and also want to pat on her back.
