TIMELESS TEMPTATION

Chapter 12

One afternoon, finding themselves near the familiar clearing where the Kanaka Durga Temple stood, a sense of nostalgia washed over Tara. "Do you mind," she asked Nakul, "if we visit the temple again?"

Nakul's eyes lit up. "Of course not," he replied readily. "It's a beautiful place. Perhaps Arjun would like to join us this time."

Arjun, who had witnessed Tara's deep connection with the temple during their previous visit, hesitated for a moment. Yet, the curiosity that had been simmering within him ever since their encounter with her unconventional faith urged him forward.

"I wouldn't mind seeing it," he said, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

So, the three of them made their way towards the hidden gem. As they walked, a comfortable silence settled between them. Arjun observed Tara from the corner of his eye, her steps lighter, her demeanor filled with a sense of anticipation.

Reaching the clearing, they were greeted by the same serene atmosphere. The sun dappled through the leaves, casting an ethereal glow on the white stone temple. As they entered, the familiar fragrance of incense and sandalwood filled their senses.

This time, however, Arjun found himself drawn to the intricate carvings on the walls surrounding the idol of Durga. He noticed scenes depicting not just the goddess slaying demons but also seemingly ordinary scenes of people praying, offering flowers, and celebrating life's milestones.

"These carvings," he remarked, pointing to a specific scene, "they tell a story, don't they?"

Nakul, ever the scholar, explained the significance of each scene. As he spoke, Arjun's gaze fell on one particular carving. It depicted a woman, her face remarkably similar to Tara's, kneeling in prayer before the goddess.

A jolt of shock ran through him. Was it just a trick of the light, or was there a resemblance that couldn't be ignored? He studied the carving further, his heart hammering in his chest. The woman's attire was different, more traditional, but the shape of her face, the set of her eyes, it was undeniably Tara.

Confused and disoriented, Arjun turned to Tara, who was standing before the idol of Durga, her eyes closed in quiet prayer. As she opened her eyes, her gaze met his, and he saw a flicker of recognition in them, a fleeting sense of panic that vanished almost as soon as it appeared.

The silence in the temple stretched on, thick with unspoken questions. Arjun, his voice a mere whisper, broke the stillness. "Tara," he began, "that carving... the woman... does she look familiar to you?"

Tara, her composure regained, turned towards the carving Arjun was pointing at. She studied it for a moment, her brow furrowed in thought. "It does... kind of," she admitted hesitantly. "But these clothes, the style... it's so different from anything I know."

Arjun felt a sense of disappointment. Perhaps he had been imagining things. Yet, the resemblance couldn't be a mere coincidence.

Nakul, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension, continued his explanation of the carvings. Arjun, however, found it difficult to focus. His mind was consumed by the mystery surrounding Tara. Who was this woman in the carving? Why did she resemble Tara so closely?

As they exited the temple, the once peaceful silence now felt heavy with unspoken questions. Tara, her face unreadable, walked ahead in quick strides. Nakul, sensing her unease, gave Arjun a questioning look.

"I think I need some air," Tara announced, her voice strained. She walked further into the clearing, towards a small pond nestled under a banyan tree.

Arjun hesitated for a moment, then followed her. He stood at a distance, unsure if he should intrude on her solitude. Tara, her hands clasped together, stared intently at the reflection of the setting sun on the water's surface.