"The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery".

My words stuck in my throat and a shiver ran down my spine, as he pulled me towards his chest with one harsh tug sealing his lips over mine.

I was stunned for a moment by his sudden actions as my body went still in his hold, but that didn't stop him from pulling me closer to his warm body as he deepened the kiss.

He pulled back a little as he finally sensed that I was not reacting to him.
I closed my eyes tightly unable to open them from the jittery sensations.

He chuckled lightly seeing my stilled form. I finally opened my eyes as my breath turned ragged and uneven.

"Wh...W....what was that?", I panted staring at his amused face.

"Hmm, This?", he questioned as he smacked his lips on mine again.

I felt him licking his tongue against my upper lip urging me to give in. My body
shuddered at the new sensations.

I'm clearly going to regret this after.

I finally relaxed in his hold placing my hands on his well-built chest where his heart was racing matching my own, giving in to the passion that clouded us at the moment.

He slightly lifted his lips away allowing me to suck the much needed air as he stared at me with adoration dancing in his golden-brown hues.

"You are cute", he flicked my nose letting out a sexy chuckle.

"Ouch"

Did he really do that? That hurts like a bitch.

"Move away, you man-child, it hurts", I tried to push him away still holding my aching nose in one hand.

My eyes widened alarmingly as he again bent forward with a smirk on his sinful lips.

Yes, the same sinful lips that you tasted a second ago.

"How can I move away, after coming so near to you, darling", his hoarse voice sent shivers through my body, giving raise to whole lot of butterflies to dance crazily in my stomach.

Didn't he tell me earlier that he had someone in his life?

How dare he to play with me?

"Ira, is that you?", I decided to question him, before a voice interrupted me halfway.

"Oh, No!. Not her again", Adi groaned hearing the voice.

"Adi, please go away and hide somewhere. She will think something is going on between us, if she spots us here alone", I said shoving him towards the dark corner.

"But She knows already", he smiled smugly clearly annoying me.

Oh! How I wish to strangle that neck of his.

"Just hide there you idiot. Don't come out until I call you", I glared pushing him away hastily. He grunted before doing as I told.

"Ira, are you there?", I heard the voice nearing me.

"Ye....yeah I'm here", I rasped out clearing my dried throat.

"What are you doing in the dark?", she asked eyeing me suspiciously.

"Me? no.... nothing. I was just taking the fresh air", I stuttered trying hard to conceal my nervousness.

When did I start stuttering? Dear God!!!

"Hmm?", she raked her gaze on my disheveled form clearly not believing me.

"Then why are you sweating?", she wiggled her eyebrows mischievously.

This girl!!! She Is going to be death of mine.

"It is quite hot here", I said fanning my hands dramatically, "By the way why are you here?"

"Oh! Silly me. Grandpa was searching for bro, so I came in search of him", she said smacking her hand on her forehead.

"But he is not here", I muttered urgently as she scowled at my sudden answer.

Even a child can sense that you are lying.

You are a fool Ira. A complete fool.

"What I mean to say is, nobody came in this direction. So come let's search for him inside", I said dragging her in.

"But, Krish brother, clearly said that he saw you both leaving together?", she wondered.

That fucking cheater. Krish. Wait till I get hold of you.

After almost every devotees left the temple finishing their offerings I and Adi came back towards the northern side of the temple.

This side of the temple was clear, without any debris or ruined structures.

It has huge pillars carved intricately with various figures like that of goddess, dancing sculptures of celestial nymphs and various other symbols.

"These compasses are not showing any
movements, I think we should follow different method", Adi grumbled.

"No, we should have patience. According to dad's letter, he clearly told us to follow the same steps as before, it means I'm sure there is something that is hiding here".

"Hmm", he agreed. "But it's been half-an-hour since we are roaming like stupids holding these lockets".

We walked through the huge hallway of temple examining its unique structures carved out of rock. The carvings look weird but if one takes a close look at them we can see some fascinating stories of ancient time that are carved out here.

"Stop", I halted as I sensed the low ticking sound.

"It's the one we found in the box", he moved slightly towards the empty rock wall as the ticking now become louder.

The compass was designed like a sensor, it only deflects near the particular site.

"There's nothing here except a plane wall", I mumbled examining the rock wall to find anything strange.

"I think there will be something that is hiding from our plain sight, that we have to see carefully", Adi said moving back to take a better look at the wall.

"Just look above", he gestured me to look above the wall where some statues were mounted at the top near the roof.

"Yeah, what about them?", I furrowed my brows in confusion not getting his point.

"Can't you see, this is the only place where statues can be found at the very top in this entire temple", he arched his brow.

"Hmm, yeah", I hummed taking a once over look at the temple walls.

"I don't know if I'm being paranoid but I strongly believe that, those statues are movable", he wondered.

"See the space that is intentionally left on top and behind each statue", he pointed the gap that is left at the top of the statues.

"Do you think they are rotatable?", I asked bewildered by the thought of the statues that can be rotated.

"Exactly", he said gazing at them.

"But they are atleast 20 ft high, how can we reach till them?", I asked worriedly.

He thought for some time before reaching towards the large empty water containers that were placed at the corner.

"We can use them as steps", he said placing three large cylindrical containers one above the other in descending order.

"That seems to dangerous Adi, what if you fall down?"

"Who told you that I'm the one who is going to climb up?", he smirked at my direction.

"What? no way I'm doing that", my eyes widened as I took a step back.

"Oh! common now, there is no way left.
Besides I will be there to catch you if you slip by any chance", he smiled mischievously.

"It's not the right time to joke, Adi. It's too high, I can't", I shook my head
negatively.

"Trust me, you will be safe. And you weigh merely a few kg, so they can withstand your weight", he said smugly.

Did he just call me underweight?

No, no, he called me weight- - -less.

"Whatever floats your boat", I said moving towards the steps to reach heaven.

"Hold them tightly Mr. I don't have any plans to die this early", I hissed at him.

"Alright, now make it quick", he jested laughing slightly.

"Ow! Shit", I gasped as I saw a big lizard exactly on the statue.

"What's wrong, Ira", I heard Adi's concerned voice.

"Now don't act like you care. I can manage, it's nothing but a tiny reptile", I said shoving away the weird tiny creature.

Yeah the same tiny reptile, which can cause you to wet your pants. My mind retorted.

"Hey, shoo.....shooo, you weird reptile, move away please"

I muttered lowly as my hands trembled seeing its tiny eyes shining like a diamond as I directed the torch on it.

"I think it likes you. You can put it in your pocket", I heard Adi's amused tone from down.

"Finally!", I huffed as it creeped away from the statue.

I heaved a large breath of relief, now turning my attention towards the statue.

I touched it carefully, still afraid by our last encounter with the old-ladys statue at the southern side of the temple.

"Now, try to rotate it carefully", Adi
advised from below.

"Yeah, I know".

I took hold of the statues lower part and tried to move it slowly but it didn't work.

I tried the same with two others but they didn't move.

Now I tried to rotate the last statue clockwise and still it didn't move.

"Try moving it anti-clockwise", Adi advised.

"Ok", I muttered as I tightly gripped the statue near its base and turned it in opposite direction.

We heard some low frequency sounds before it slightly began to rotate.

"Turn it completely, until you can rotate", Adi said.

I rotated it completely 180⁰, until the back of the statue now appeared before us.

The frequencies started getting denser, as the wall began to slightly creak in the middle.

My eyes widened in alertness, as I saw the wall before me getting opened.

"Common jump down, Ira", I heard Adi's tensed voice as he held open his arms signaling me to jump.

"I will kill you, if you don't catch me you idiot", I said before closing my eyes as I jumped down screaming.

☆☆☆☆♡☆☆☆☆