Out of all hidden human emotions, envy and jealousy are probably the most vicious ones. Envy is when you want what is not yours, whereas jealousy makes you insecure of your possessions.

Kshitija had longed for Anirudh's closeness since the time they met. She had tried to open her heart out to him on quite a few occasions as well. But, Anirudh had always been aloof to her advances. Infact, it's his indifference that has ignited and fuelled Kshitija's constant hankering for his attention.
It's a basic human instinct to long for what they can't have. Kshitija knew in her heart that Anirudh doesn't belong to her, but it was her envy that made her believe that he can't be Bondita's either.
Bondita was just an orphan who had the privilege of being saved by Anirudh. And, it was her jealousy that weaved that there was no way on earth Anirudh would choose that hapless Bondita over her!

The elaborate Holi celebration at the Sinha estate was planned and executed by Kshitija. The guests who had arrived praised her for its grandiose. But, what they didn't know was Kshitija had micromanaged the entire event only to get close to her special guest... Anirudh!

She had planned every gesture, every move keeping in mind her one single interest.
And Bondita?
It was simple for her... She just had to make her brother believe that Bondita was destined to be with him... else, out of all places, why would she come to Dehradun to study all the way from Bengal!
Rishit was convinced. He always was awed by Bondita's beauty and intelligence. And now it was on his pride to make her his.

The morning was colorful with a tone of happy festivity. Kshitija had managed to stay close to Anirudh... In her mind, she knew that, although, being in her company, Anirudh's focus was elsewhere. But her heart denied to accept the truth.

It was after the musical frolic that Kshitija realised Anirudh was not within her sight. Her eyes had quickly searched for Bondita and she felt a surge of vexation on gauging her absence.

Her face had flushed further in indignation and her hands had balled up into a fist when she discovered Anirudh's tousled body pressed against the Maple trunk, his mouth hungrily devouring Bondita's fragility.

She saw how Anirudh's strong hands were kneading Bondita's soft body, and in that moment, she wanted to take her place. She wanted Anirudh to touch her, to tear her entire being with his fierce rage of passion!

Kshitija couldn't take it anymore. She was blinded by a brutal envy guided by a strong urge.

"Bondita..." She had called out as her eyes were fixated on the fresh red love mark on her neck.
'How dare she!' Kshitija's mind glared. How dare she bear the mark of Anirudh's love!

"Anirudh Babu, so you are here!" She had remarked with a piercing tone. " The party is missing you!"

Anirudh looked disoriented.
What was more infuriating to Kshitija was the fact that both Anirudh and Bondita were so lost in each other that they even failed to notice the sharp tone of sarcasm in her words.

Kshitija had parted Bondita away from Anirudh with an acute subtlety, as she dragged her to the main party.
She had turned around once, only to see Anirudh standing at the same place with his head leaned against the Maple tree.

................

"Bondita, do you want to have one more glass?" Kshitija implored her.

"No... Kshi, please...My head is pounding." Bondita replied.

Oh! I have a solution for that too... Remember, we're sisters after all?" Kshitija smiled heartily at her own remark.
"Come here, my dear Bondu... "
She held Bondita's hand and led her to the portable artificial color pool that was created for the occasion. And before she could even realise, Kshitija pushed her into it.

"Kshiiii.....!!" Bondita shouted.
For a moment, she couldn't fathom the occurings of the moment. She struggled to stand upright as the water had drenched her completely, making her white saree flimsy. The guests around the pool, who were yet not inebriated, cheered at Bondita.

"Come on up now you damsel in distress." Kshitija mocked her with fake affection.

Bondita slowly came out of the small pool, folding her hands in order to cover the transparency of her attire.

"This is so not right Kshi..." She murmured as her teeth clattered in cold.

An unknown pleasure engulfed Kshitija's mind as she witnessed Bondita in this condition.
She stretched her arms to her and hushed to her ears.
"See.. you're as good as new... Ready for two more glasses" She laughed. "Let's get you changed now." She held her hand and led her inside the banglow.

"You and your quirky ways... " Bondita remarked as she followed her to a room.

It's was a moderate sized room with wardrobes arranged in a tasteful manner. There was a large full size mirror, covered with a white crochet veil.

"Stand here..." Kshitija commanded as she opened a wardrobe to take out a fresh cotton saree for her. " And don't turn around. The saree is stuck to your body... showing everything." She added.

Bondita took a deep breath and stood still facing the wall, with the door behind her, while Kshitija stood close.

"Here, let me untie these for you." Kshitija tugged at the strings of her blouse opening them one by one.

" What's this mark Bondita?" She faked an exclamation.

"Nothing Kshi... It's actually... " Bondita paused to find the right words.
"You know you were actually wrong. Anirudh, I mean Barrister Babu is not playing with me. He infact... "
Bondita didn't finish her words.

"Point noted Mi-lord." Kshitija replied as she clenched her teeth at her words.
"So, why don't I call Anirudh to help you with this." She tugged a tussle sharply making Bondita flinch in pain.

"No Kshi.. Stop.. here...!" Bondita tried to stop her weakly, clutching her saree in one hand and the half opened blouse with the other.

"Don't you turn around..."Kshitija warned her. "I'll send him in."

....................

Kshitija closed the door and stood outside for a minute. Her entire body was erupting in violent rage. She took a deep breath and walked straight to her brother.
Rishit was standing at the entrance of the corridor, merrily chatting with a few young men. He held a glass of the forbidden drink in his hand.

"Rishit would you do me a favour and look for the mighty Barrister." She raised her arched eyebrow sarcastically.

"And what might that be for?" Rishit asked.

"Bondita needs help... Hence..." Kshitija stopped without completing her sentence.

"Bondita? Where is she? I was, infact, looking for her."

"She is in the dressing room, east wing." Kshitija smirked.

"Very well then... I'll go help her right away."

Kshitija took the glass from his hand as Rishit hurried inside the banglow enthusiastically.
She took a small sip of the liquid as she stepped outside to search for her prized guest!

It took only a minute for her preying eyes to locate Anirudh's whereabouts. Without wasting time, she approached hastily towards him, pouring the remaining content of the glass on his kurta while she pretending to fumble on her walk.

"I'm so sorry Anirudh Babu... Please forgive me... Will you?" Kshitija held Anirudh's hands as she blurted out an apology to him.

"Um.. it's alright.. We'll be leaving anyway.. I'm just looking for Bondita."
Anirudh answered.

"No... I insist.. please let me help you dry this up.. "
Kshitija was not to be calmed. She almost hauled Anirudh inside the banglow coaxing him to dry himself up before leaving.
Anirudh was perplexed.
His eyes were still searching for Bondita when Kshitija led him straight to her bedroom.

She closed the door and turned around to face Anirudh. Her eyes were fuming passion as she slowly opened her mouth to speak.

"Anirudh, here, let me dry you up!"