The Dilemma of a Restless Mind

( C) All rights reserved by the author.

Instagram : @rajatchandrasarmah5

There are moments when the world feels perfectly aligned, and then there are those that shake the very foundation of our beliefs. Lately, I find myself standing at the crossroads of thought, burdened by questions that refuse to settle. These are not the grand philosophical puzzles of existence, nor the fleeting confusions of everyday life. They are dilemmas—deep, unsettling, and uncomfortably human.

In a world that thrives on absolutes, we are often told that right and wrong are clearly defined. But are they? Does morality function in black and white, or is it an ever-shifting spectrum of grey? When confronted with choices that tug at both reason and emotion, how do we decide which path to walk? More importantly, does the ‘right’ decision even exist, or is it merely a construct of perspective?

Over the next four days, I want to explore four such dilemmas—questions that have left me restless, lingering in my mind without resolution. I will not present answers, for I have none. Instead, I will share my thoughts, my confusions, and the weight of indecision that accompanies them. Perhaps you, my readers, can offer clarity where I see only contradiction.

At the end of each day’s narrative, I will leave you with a question—a moment to pause, reflect, and, if you wish, share your own perspective. Because in matters of the heart, ethics, and conscience, there is no singular truth—only the wisdom we gather from one another.

Tomorrow, I begin with the first dilemma. But before that, I ask you—do you believe there is always a right answer, or do we simply choose the lesser wrong?

Rajat Chandra Sarmah

Guwahati , Assam , India

06/02/2025

A Heartfelt Thank You

Writing has always been personal to me—an outlet, a journey, a way to share my thoughts. But what truly keeps me going is you—the ones who take the time to read, reflect, and connect.

There are days when I struggle to put thoughts into words, when I wonder if what I write even matters. And then, I see your comments, your encouragement, your quiet presence, and I realize—this space isn’t just mine; it belongs to all of us.

Your support gives my words purpose. Every read, every share, every kind word is a push to keep going. I may be the one writing, but it is you who make this blog alive.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. This journey wouldn’t be the same without you.

Rajat Chandra Sarmah

Guwahati , Assam , India

06/02/2025

Micro Fiction (2) – Continued 

4. Fashion Trends:

Sunita walked in wearing last year’s clothes like she was on a fashion runway. “Vintage is the new black,” she said proudly.

 Her friends looked at each other. “If that’s true, then my dad’s old sweater is a designer piece,” one of them muttered.

5. The Gossipy Neighborhood:

A new couple moved in, and before they could even unload their boxes, the neighborhood aunties had gathered.

“They seem nice,” said Mrs. Sharma.

“Too nice,” replied Mrs. Patel, nodding knowingly.

By evening, the whole lane had theories—some said they were millionaires, others guessed spies. 

Turns out, they were just two IT professionals who liked peace and quiet.

6. Political Debates:

Dinner started peacefully. Then politics came up. Within minutes, uncles were shouting, aunties were arguing, and cousins were taking sides.

 The only person winning? The pizza guy, who left with a fat tip. 

Meanwhile, Ravi sat there, holding his stomach—his diet had lost the battle again.

7. The Gym New Year:

Every January, Mohan joined the gym with big dreams. He went once, took a selfie, grabbed the free towel, and never went back. 

By February, even the gym trainer had forgotten his name.

RAJAT CHANDRA SARMAH

GUWAHATI , ASSAM , INDIA

05/02/2025

THREE NEW ANTHOLOGIES, WHERE I AM A CO- AUTHOR: THE BOOKS NOW RECEIVED BY ME. VERY HAPPY .

FEW MICRO FICTION .

  1. Job Hunt
    “Applied for a job. They wanted ‘miracle workers.’
    Thought I had a decent shot.
    Turns out, they hired someone who just knew how to dodge work.”
  2. Marriage Wisdom
    “Thirty years of marriage. Learned three survival rules.
    Separate TVs. Separate remotes. A well-timed ‘Hmm, you’re right.’
    Still married, still sane!”

   3.Diet Chronicles
     “Tried eating only salads for a week.
       Lost a few pounds. Lost my temper.       

       I lost my will to live.
       On day eight, a burger saved my soul.”

RAJAT CHANDRA SARMAH

Guwahati , Assam , India

04/02/2025


      

        

INKSPIRE NATIONAL LEVEL WRITING COMPETITION -24.

PROUD TO BE RANK -2 AND AMONGST THE TOP WRITERS OF 2024 .

Homecoming: The Final Descent into Guwahati

The captain’s voice crackled through the speaker, announcing our descent into Guwahati. I instinctively leaned toward the window, eager for my first glimpse of home after twenty long days of travel. The sky was painted in shades of deep blue, fading into a warm amber glow near the horizon. Below, the Brahmaputra snaked through the city like a ribbon of liquid silver, reflecting the last remnants of daylight.

As we sank lower, the city lights began to twinkle—tiny specks of gold and white, scattered across the landscape.  The heart of the old city, glowed softly by the river. The Saraighat Bridge, standing tall over the river, was a familiar sight—a silent guardian watching over the city’s past and present. Even in the dimming light, I could make out the silhouette of the Kamakhya Temple, perched atop the Nilachal Hills, its presence a comforting reminder that I was home.

A Journey Across Places, A Heart That Longed for Home

As the wheels touched down with a gentle thud, a strange mix of exhaustion and relief washed over me. Twenty days had passed—twenty days of exploring, learning, and losing myself in places so different yet equally fascinating.

The sheer speed and efficiency of the Delhi Metro, the lifeline of a bustling metropolis, had amazed me. In stark contrast, Bali had been a serene escape—waves lapping against the shores, the fragrance of frangipani in the air, and the soft chanting from temples creating an almost dreamlike ambiance.

At Birla Institute of Technology and Science, I had felt the weight of academia, standing in awe of a place where great minds were shaped. The energy at Ajmer Sharif Dargah had been unforgettable—the qawwals’ soulful voices, the sea of devotees, the scent of rose petals and incense mixing into a spiritual experience unlike any other.

Jaipur had been a quick but charming interlude—Patrika Gate, Jawahar Circle, and the vibrant streets offering a glimpse into a city that balances history and modernity with effortless grace.

And now, here I was, back in Guwahati, my heart beating faster as I stepped out of the airport and inhaled the familiar, humid air.

The Road Home

I hailed a cab, the driver giving me a polite nod as he placed our luggage in the trunk. The ride home was quiet, the city whizzing past in streaks of light and shadow. Azara, Maligaon, Panbazar—each neighborhood brought back memories, each turn in the road making me feel closer to my own world. Both my wife and We keep almost silent throughout the road may be due to exhaustion or may be losing the charm and beauty we enjoyed for the last twenty days and now back again to the routine.

I glanced outside at the Bharalu River, the traffic on AT Road moving sluggishly, yet there was something comforting about this chaos. The tea stalls were still alive with  customers, a few rickshaw pullers huddled together, chatting over cups of steaming chai.

As the cab neared my house, I felt a deep contentment settle over me. No matter how beautiful the places I had visited, no matter how exhilarating the experiences, nothing quite compared to coming home.

I unlocked the door,and we stepped inside, and let out a long sigh. The familiarity of my space—my books on the shelf, the chair by the window, the soft glow of the night lamp—felt like an embrace. Dropping my bags, I stretched out on my bed, letting the comfort of home wrap around me like a warm blanket.Tomorrow, I would sort through my photographs, relive the journey through stories, and cherish the moments I had collected along the way. But tonight, I would simply close my eyes and breathe in the peace of home.

With it , we completed our  journey for now and plan for some other beautiful place as soon as possible .

RAJAT CHANDRA SARMAH

GUWAHATI , ASSAM , INDIA

03/02/2025 .

On the way from Ajmeer to Jaipur

A Day of Unexpected Wanderings: Ajmer to Jaipur Airport

( C ) All rights reserved by the author

Instagram :@rajatchandrasarmah5

The journey from Ajmer to Jaipur airport was supposed to be a straightforward one—an early morning drive, a quick check-in, and a relaxed wait for our flight. But as fate would have it, Air India Express decided to play a trick on us. The delay notification came so late that by the time we realized our flight was three hours behind schedule, we were already halfway to Jaipur.

Still, there was little to complain about. The road from Ajmer to Jaipur is smooth, lined with the rocky Aravalli hills on one side and vast stretches of Rajasthan’s semi-arid landscape on the other. The journey itself is steeped in history—Ajmer, with its Sufi legacy and the revered dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, slowly fades behind, giving way to the grandeur of Jaipur, the Pink City, where Rajputana history breathes through its walls.

A Chance to Roam Around Jaipur

Reaching Jaipur well ahead of schedule, we found ourselves with unexpected time to spare. Instead of sulking at the airport lounge, we decided to explore a bit of the city, sticking to places not too far from the airpor

Our first stop was Jawahar Circle, just a few minutes away. The grand Patrika Gate, an Instagram favorite, stood in its full glory. Every archway told a story of Rajasthan’s royal past, painted in vibrant hues of pink, blue, and gold. The cool morning breeze and the relatively empty surroundings made it an excellent spot for a short stroll.

From there, we headed to World Trade Park (WTP), Jaipur’s modern shopping hub. While traditional Jaipur is all about palaces and heritage, WTP represents the city’s modern face. A quick cup of coffee at a café inside the mall felt refreshing, though the bustling crowd of shoppers reminded us that Jaipur is as contemporary as it is historic.

With some time still left, we made a brief visit to the Birla Mandir, a serene white-marble temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Nestled near Moti Dungri Hill, the temple stood in stark contrast to Jaipur’s earthy pink tones, its tranquility providing a perfect moment of reflection before heading to the airport.

Back to Jaipur Airport

Finally, we made our way to Jaipur International Airport, the flight delay still looming over our heads. The airport, though not overly crowded, had its fair share of restless travelers, some pacing around, others glued to their phones. We grabbed a quick bite at one of the airport cafés, flipping through news updates and emails to kill time.

The three-hour wait dragged on, but soon enough, the boarding call for Jaipur to Guwahati on Air India Express echoed through the terminal. As we finally settled into our seats, Jaipur’s golden sunset painted the sky outside, a fitting farewell to a day that, despite its disruptions, had given us an unexpected glimpse into the city’s charm.

With the engines roaring and the aircraft taxiing, I leaned back, thinking about how unplanned detours sometimes make the best memories.

RAJAT CHANDRA SARMAH

Guwahati , Assam , India

02/02/2025

A new Anthology ” Chromatic Current  Vol -2 where I am also a Co author is released .