TIMELESS TEMPTATION

Chapter -20 : A Spark of Divinity

The revelation of the unorthodox ritual hung heavy in the air, suffocating Tara with a miasma of conflicting emotions. Grief, betrayal, and a flicker of gratitude warred within her. Tears streamed down her face, washing away the remnants of the ordeal but leaving behind a raw vulnerability.

Nakul and Arjuna, their faces etched with shame and regret, watched her crumble. Words failed them, their apologies an inadequate salve for the wound they had inflicted.

Suddenly, a gentle presence filled the chamber, pushing back the oppressive air. Tara looked up, startled, to see a figure materialize beside her bed. His radiant skin, like burnished gold, shimmered in the faint light filtering through the window. His eyes, shimmering with an otherworldly light, held a warmth that calmed the tempest within her.

"Tara," he spoke, his voice a melody that resonated within her soul. You are safe now."

His presence filled her with an inexplicable sense of awe and comfort. Though she knew not who he was, a spark of recognition ignited within her. This wasn't just any man. This was someone divine, a being of immense power and benevolence.

"Who... who are you?" she stammered, wiping away her tears with a trembling hand.

A warm smile graced his lips. "I am Krishna," he replied, his voice filled with gentleness.

The name echoed within her, stirring a lifetime of devotion, of prayers whispered and stories listened to with bated breath. This was Krishna, the embodiment of the divine, the one she had worshipped her entire life. Tears welled up in her eyes once more, this time from a surge of overwhelming emotion.

She looked at him with a mixture of awe and desperation. "Lord Krishna," she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. "I... I don't understand. Why am I here? What is my purpose?"

Krishna sat beside her on the bed, his presence radiating a calm that soothed her turmoil. As he spoke, his gaze held an understanding that transcended mortal comprehension.

"Your journey, Tara," he began, his voice low and soothing, "has been arduous. Your unwavering faith, your love for your brothers, these are what brought you here."

He paused, his eyes meeting hers. "Your purpose, Tara, is far greater than you may realize. You are not just a devotee, but a thread woven into the tapestry of the divine. Your struggles and triumphs all have meaning, a part of the grand play of creation."

His words resonated within her, but a flicker of doubt remained. The ordeal she had endured, the violation she had suffered, did they too fit into this grand design?

"But Lord," she pleaded, her voice trembling, "why did all this happen? Why did they... why did Nakula and Arjuna..."

Shame flickered in Krishna's eyes, a fleeting emotion that surprised her. It seemed even the divine could feel the weight of a mistake.

"The ritual, Tara," he explained, his voice laced with regret, "was fraught with unforeseen challenges. The sorcerer's hold on your soul was stronger than anticipated."

He hesitated, his gaze dropping for a moment. "Arjun and Nakul  in their desperation to save you, took a path... not entirely righteous."

Tara's heart clenched. It was a confirmation of her suspicions, a truth that cut deep.

"They crossed a line, Lord," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "They violated me... to save me."

Krishna nodded, his eyes filled with empathy. "They did what they believed to be necessary, driven by love and a desperate need to see you safe."