“Jasmine… Jasmine… come quickly, help me in the kitchen! Jasmine…. JASMINE!!”
Bhagwati rushed into the room and tapped Jasmine on the shoulder lightly, “Hey Jasmine Didi, Maa is calling you…”
“Can’t you see I am busy?” Jasmine retorted in a subdued irritated tone as she continued to preen herself in front of the large oval mirror in the master bedroom. She ran her slender, well-manicured fingers through her long ebony-coloured hair and smiled to herself.
“Jasmine…. JASMINEEEEEEEEEE!!!!”
“Jasmine Didi is busy Maa, I am coming to help.”
Bhagwati strode towards the kitchen.
Jasmine and Bhagwati were born of the same mother but were at two ends of the spectrum in terms of beauty, nature and intelligence.
13-year-old, Jasmine was stunningly beautiful, haughty and the centre of attention at every social gathering. She would adjust her nature as per the person and that ensured she remained popular everywhere. Teachers at school would entrust her with important responsibilities and cover up her mistakes when she looked at them teary-eyed.
Jasmine’s younger sister, 12-year-old Bhagwati was sincere, conscientious and the dependable daughter of the house. She wasn’t ugly nor was she stunningly beautiful. Just an ordinary girl next door with a simple demeanor. You would always see her around Jasmine and was her trusted lieutenant.
Since the age-gap wasn’t a lot, the parents put them in school in the same class. Jasmine and Bhagwati were always seen together. The pretty one would stride ahead and the simple one would follow her like a cute puppy.
Years passed by and things remained in status quo until they finished their board exams. Something changed when they entered college. Jasmine fell in love with the idea of getting married. She would spend hours trying on different dupattas, make up looks and often dolled up as a bride.
She had a crush on every male person who she came across. Her craze to get married drove her to stand at the balcony staring at the weirdest men. She had a crush on the paani puri wala just because he gave her an extra puri and almost thought of running away with the balloon seller who casually gave her a red balloon while she was choosing balloons for a friend.
Her parents were extremely worried and spent sleepless nights wondering about their beautiful, elder daughter’s future. When she turned 18, Jasmine’s father decided to get her married. He just couldn’t take her queer behaviour and felt it was safer for her to officiate her craze.
Jasmine was on top of the world and rejoiced when her parents told her the news. Kewal Kumar Upadhyay, son of a noted businessman, Ashok Upadhyay was coming to see her that evening. Jasmine hugged Bhagwati tightly and both of them did a brief happy dance.
Bhagwati helped Jasmine get ready. She had gained a qualification in hair and beauty and her sister was her favourite muse. They had practiced the “groom-dekho” ceremony look and had perfected it by now. She looked extremely beautiful (as usual).
After getting ready, Jasmine was admiring herself in the oval mirror. Bhagwati had gone to freshen up and change into something nice. Jasmine was humming to herself and dancing in front of the mirror. The entire room resonated with her cheerful and melodious voice. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Bhagwati who had just entered the room.
“What are you trying to do, Bhagwati?”
“What Di, what did I do?”
“The dress, your make up…what is the meaning of all this.?”
Jasmine nervously referred to Bhagwati’s plain salwaar kameez, minimal accessories and nude make up. There was nothing apparently wrong about her appearance however, Jasmine seemed visibly upset.
Bhagwati stepped closer to her sister, “I didn’t understand, Di”
“Stay away from me, I know your plan, you want to charm your way to Kewal and spoil my prospects of getting married. You just want to prove that you are prettier and better than me.”
Bhagwati just couldn’t understand why Jasmine was behaving this way. She had never seen her sister in such a manner. She started crying as Jasmine threw the worst tantrum of her life. Her parents rushed in to calm her down.
Jasmine calmed down only when she was assured that Bhagwati wouldn’t come in front of Kewal or his family till the marriage was done.
“Kasam kha, Bhagwati, kasam kha….shaadi hone tak tu tere Jijaji aur Didi ke saamne nahi aayegi.” Her father frantically yanked Bhagwati’s hand, put them on her mom’s head and asked her to swear. All this while Jasmine was bawling like a baby. She kept insisting that Bhagwati wanted to usurp her glory.
A sobbing Bhagwati agreed to their terms. With trembling hands she started fixing her sister’s hair and soiled make up. Jasmine’s mood changed – as though nothing had happened.
A few months later, teary-eyed Bhagwati watched from behind the curtains as her favourite Di went off with her Kewal Jijaji. As promised, she had stayed away from the limelight in the wedding.
A few years later, Kewal was making mad love to a woman, he seemed like a slave to his desires. The room was lit up with pure, naked passion. He didn’t stop, and she goaded him to continue. They climax and sink into each other’s arms. He nudges her with his nose and said, “Marry me, please, marry me.”
Bhagwati turns her face away, smiles while getting dressed and exclaims, “I can’t marry you….Kewal…after all you are my Jijaji…” they hug and Kewal’s back is facing the door.
The door flings open, and Jasmine unknowingly enters the room. She sees them in bed and gasps. Bhagwati hugs Kewal tighter and gives a spine chilling smile to her sister….
Years later, Bhagwati marries a handsome hunk, Amol and has 3 kids. She continues to flirt with men and books her afternoons for a daily dose of fun and frolic. Jasmine and Kewal undergo marriage counseling, and the counselor refers Jasmine for psychological evaluation for her problems. She would often tell her counselor many stories about Bhagwati, all of which were written off as figments of her imagination. Bhagwati would often visit her Di and lovingly take care of her while Jasmine continued to shout, yell and throw a tantrum.
Friends, sibling rivalry….how far can it really go?
Penned by:
Mayura Amarkant
‘This post is part of #StorytellersBlogHop FEB 2021 hosted by amazing hosts:
#StoryTellersBlogHop
DiaryOfAnInsaneWriter 
Oh my God. Now that really is sibling rivalry gone too far. Hope it was all Jasmine’s imagination but the way you have left it open ended, it can make a great series on OTT.
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I really like the drama unfolded at the end, how sibling rivalry can make or damage someone for ever. Here the loss isn’t of just one but 3 people.
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Many stories are being written on the sibling rivalry but I enjoyed reading your take and closer to reality. It happens in many homes.
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The story left me with such a huge bag of emotions and questions. who’s fault is it really? one can never say.
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This is such well-written story, while reading I was thinking so many endings of this!!
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Hi Mayura, a well etched story indeed. But why did Bhagwati do that? or was it truly a figment of mind on Jasmines part?
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What an amazing narration Mayuri. Loved the plot in entirety. I could imagine the sinister smile, OMG, it just gave me goosebumps! A spine-chilling entry to the prompt Sibling Rivalry!
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I like how you left the interpretation to the readers imagination. Descriptive and engrossing writing that kept me hooked till the end.
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You have shown the truly ugly side of human nature here. Very interesting take on the prompt.
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Wow! I wasn’t expecting what Bhagwati turned out to be. That was dark and engaging one. Your words kept me engrossed all along, Mayura
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A brilliant post I must say ! Till the end it was gripping and was it Bhagwati’s imagination or was it Jasmine who changed her profile to take revenge ! Beautiful narration . Vivid description !!
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Great narration of the sibling rivalry story… Jasmine was so agitated with her sister Bhagwati just from her one day not-so-beautiful makeup stint that Jasmine’s imagination went on the extreme extent that her sister can go to and it let Jasmine for counselling. Loved reading the story!!
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A different take. Nicely written!!
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Did Bhagwati really do it? If Yes then was it out of spite or was her behaviour from the start of wbing a good daughter all fake? Or was all of this just in Jasmine’s head and is that why she needed treatment? Too many questions unanswered… All in all a very interesting story.
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Great story! I have a question though, did Bhagwati cheat on her sister or it was a figment of jasmine’s mad imagination? I loved the narrative and the pungent sibling rivalry that was making and breaking relations post marriage too!
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I quite enjoyed reading this crisp narration. My mind is actually going in different directions thinking about the ending.
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That’s an interesting take on the prompt! Was it real or was it a figment of Jasmin’s imagination. If this was sibling rivalry, it probably just went too far.
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Great narration, Mayura.
Jasmine is the dramatic type- imagine contemplating to run away with the paanipuri wallah or the balloon-seller!
Probably it was Jasmine’s imagination.
Bhagwati’s character looks sensible enough not to indulge in such escapades.
She wasn’t even allowed to attend her sister’s wedding at her own parent’s place! Leave alone go to their home!
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Was it all a figment of Jasmine’s imagination? Or did Bhagwati actually do it? If yes, was it because of spite? Then what about the other men? Too many questions. But a lovely narration.
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That’s really an interesting take Mayura, you are leaving readers to imagine the end in their own way. Completely liked the rush of emotions towards the end of the story.
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Brilliantly take on the prompt siblings rivalry. Amazed to see the frightening yet intriguing turn of sis’s lives. The plot presentation kept me hooked up till the end!!
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Brilliant take
The story ends up with a curiosity….
I am so pleased to read such a beautiful story..
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Ohh it seems like an intense movie to me. yes, psychological problems have a different kind of impact on personality and lead to a state of confusion to others. and you had shared this aspect so beautifully in the story. narration was so crisp and ending was like movie climax for me. great work Mayura.
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What an amazing narration and such an unusual turn at the end. It was really very chilling to see what sibling rivalry could really do.
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A completely different yet unique kind of narration. 😊👏👏👏
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You are a marvelous storyteller, Mayura. I was curious to know the end and it was just wow…
Mental stories that just can’t be stopped without medical help.
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Just WOW!! Sibling rivals to a chilling story. Running out of words to describe. Read you after a long time and it was super good writing. Are you giving out this for any webseries, it is worth!
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Great take on the prompt. Parents have to be neutral in such cases, if they start taking sides it affects kids badly.
Glad to have you on the hop.
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Curiosity at the end.. Was this all made up? Or was it real?
Love your attempt to show how simple things can go too far.
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It gave me a chill down my spine! What a story Mayura! I could picture each and every scene you have beautifully narrated. So maybe it was all in her head…
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It gave me a chill down my spineWhat a story Mayura! I could picture each and every scene you have beautifully narrated. So maybe it was all in her head
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Wow! The end took me by surprise. When a person lives in the shadow of another person, he gains some of the other person’s traits. Beautifully narrated.
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Wow! I didn’t expect it to turn up like this. It caught me by surprise. Beautifully written.
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ohh..my my. Amazing. Tight narration. crisp and bang on. That line “Bhagwati hugs Kewal tighter and gives a spine chilling smile to her sister….” made me imagine Bhagawati actually giving the victory looks to her sister.
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Amazing narration as usual. Loved the take on the prompt. But did Bhagwat really cheat on her sister or was it all in Jasmine’s head all the time?! This story has the potential of getting adapted to screen 😊
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Wow what an amazing story. Chilling to think what sibling rivalry can actually do. Enjoyed reading your story beautifully narrated.
Deepika Sharma
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