LOVE AND DHARMA

19. HATRED IS THE ULTIMATE TRUTH

Riya met Smriti in the courtyard. Smriti, with an air of pride, boasted about her agility.

Riya said, "Think you're tough? Let's see what you've got."

In no time, Riya overpowered Smriti, stripping her down and spanking her hard. Smriti tried to maintain her composure, but the pain was too much.

Smriti said trying to act tough "Is that all you've got?"

But eventually, she couldn't take it anymore and ran for dear life, clutching her sore buttocks.

Ananya was bathing naked when the group stole her clothes. She begged for them, her pleas falling on deaf ears. Finally, she emerged from the water, dripping and naked. The team laughed and ran away.

Fuming, Ananya chased them down, naked, and tackled Anjali, hitting her crotch and retrieving her clothes.

Ananya said, "Mess with me again, and I'll make you regret it!"

The group couldn't stop laughing, even as they nursed their bruises.

Riya, Maya, Ananya, Anjali, and Chitra sat in a circle, applying ointments on each other's sore buttocks after a grueling training session. They winced and giggled, the room filled with a mix of pain and camaraderie.

At a distance, Vrushali sat with her notebook, doodling a scarecrow. She glanced at the group, feeling a pang of isolation. Her mind wandered back to her recent encounter with Vijay and Smriti.

Maya asked, "Hey Vrushali, want to join us?"

Vrushali said forcing a smile, "No, thanks. I'm fine here."

Ananya mischievously picked up a jar of chilli powder while applying ointment on Anjali's already paining buttocks. With a sly grin, she sprinkled some on Anjali's bare skin.

Anjali screamed, "Aaah! What the fuck?!"

Anjali jumped up, running around the mansion screaming in agony, her pants nowhere to be found. The team burst into laughter, watching Anjali's frantic attempts to cool down.

A few minutes later, Vrushali felt a heavy weight on her chest as she made her way to Ananya and Anjali's room. She knocked softly before entering to find Ananya decided to make amends. She carefully placed ice on Anjali's bare bottom, soothing the fiery sensation from the chilli powder prank. Anjali sighed in relief, grateful for the cool touch.

Ananya asked, "Better?"

Anjali said, "Much. But don't think I've forgiven you."

"Can I talk to you both?" Vrushali asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Ananya and Anjali exchanged glances, surprised by Vrushali's demeanor.

"Of course," Ananya said, gesturing for her to sit down.

"I wanted to apologize," Vrushali began, her eyes cast downward. "I know I drifted Vijay away from you both, and now with Smriti in the picture, I understand what it feels like to be pushed aside. That green-eyed monster, jealousy, has been consuming me, making me see things that aren't there."