The car prices had risen again. Ashwin sighed at the news on his phone. He had been researching quite a while to find the right car and most importantly he had been planning his finances to make it possible. But this increase in price might delay things, but there was always the option of a second hand car in Ashwin’s mind.
Ashwin picked up his cup of tea and noticed it had become cold. Thus, he went to the microwave to add a little heat to the tea. The doorbell rang and Ashwin’s mother, at much more speed than usual rushed to open the door and the door opened to the presence of Mrs Girkar and she smiled and so did Ashwin’s mother as she invited Mrs Girkar inside.
A few people had already come by, and also a few calls from family and friends. Ashwin in his mind muted the sound of his mother and Mrs Girkar talking, but he smiled back at Mrs Girkar when she smiled at him. Ashwin’s elder brother Nihant was about to enter the drawing room but the sound of laughter and talks there made him decide to retrace his steps back inside, but he did pass a look at Ashwin, a half-hearted smile.
Ashwin had a good relation with his brother and after everything his elder brother had done for the family, he found it a bit funny for things to occur in the manner they were.
Ashwin had secured a job of junior engineer in the railways and for some reason some people including his mother had erupted with pride and happiness on knowing that. His elder brother had been working for six years already and no one had treated him the same.
It was a government job and in several households it is still considered the pinnacle of achievement in life for some reason and there are many who are obsessed with securing a good one. But Ashwin as he sipped his now warm tea and wondered what his life would look like, just wished for things to return to normal as soon as possible.
Written by Anuran Chatterji
Early Morning Memories 
One response to “Slight Inflation”
This is a quietly moving and very relatable slice of life. You capture the subtle tensions of family, expectation, and social pride with a light, restrained touch that feels authentic rather than exaggerated. Ashwin’s inner world—his practical worries about finances, his discomfort with sudden attention, and his gentle awareness of his brother’s overlooked efforts—adds real emotional depth to a seemingly ordinary moment.
I especially appreciated how the celebration around the government job contrasts with Ashwin’s own wish for normalcy. That understated irony says a lot about societal values without ever preaching. The small details—the cold tea, the half-hearted smile, the muted conversations—ground the story beautifully and make it linger. Thoughtful, observant, and quietly powerful.
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