The Ex-Husband

Shalini was still in a daze, as she reached back home late in the evening. The events of the day kept replaying in her mind – The board meeting, the reactions she received for her presentation, the more private meeting she had later in the day at Tanveer’s office where she was pitched that insane ad offer, Tanveer’s surprisingly bold advances on her and the way he teased her navel in front of Xavier and Sreekath, all kept coming to her mind making her cringe in shame and embarrassment.

Why did I let Tanveer do that? What would Sreekanth and Xavier think of me? Aaarghhhh…

She barely acknowledged Akki who opened the door for her and didn’t even notice Amy who was walking out of Akki’s room.

What am I gonna do? What am I gonna do?

Her mind kept repeating the words like a mantra as she absent mindedly went about changing herself out of her fancy saree, into a more comfortable cotton one she had reserved for home use. As she stood in front of the mirror in just her blouse and petticoat to start draping the saree she had chosen, she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror and paused. It occurred to her this would be more or less what she would look like in the costume required for performing the ad. She let go of her pallu and critically assessed herself in the mirror.

She tried to imagine what she would look like in the ad if she did it, wearing the kind of costume she saw in the ad concept video. She definetly didn’t carry the kind of body those models and actresses she usually saw in TV did. Though she wasn’t fat, she wasn’t exactly slim either. It was all because of the allure of her belly. Even she had to admit herself that the gorgeous expanse of delicious skin on her midriff along with her deep oval shaped navel was a sight to behold. And that allure was no accident either.

After her separation with Navneet she made it a mission of hers to make her belly look as good as possible. Navneet who was big navel fetishist used to adore Shalu’s belly and rarely a day went by without him pampering her belly during the initial days of their marriage. However after her pregnancy with Akki, her belly lost much of its initial charm to stretch marks and post pregnancy fat. And she wasnt able to look after her figure much either having her hands full looking after a toddler. Though it was not exactly said out loud, Shalu always had a feeling that it was one of the reasons Navneet gradually distanced himself from her and eventually cheated on her with young and vivacious Kavitha who was is current wife.

The sight of Kavitha and Navneeth making out in his office as Shalu dropped in for a surprise visit all those years back was still etched so clearly in her mind as if it happened yesterday. And and it was that memory that fueled her to get into her best shape again. It was a hard thing to do initially, as looking after Akki alone wasn’t an easy job but after Amy came to live with them Akki finally had somebody else beside her to spend his time with at home. Shalu gradually tidied up her diet and began doing daily morning jogs. She took skin treatments to get rid of her stretch marks and further enhanced the radiance of her belly using facials done on her belly using a paste made of sandal, turmeric and rosewater. Though she used to do these belly facials by herself initially, later Akki who found the whole process fascinating volunteered to do it for her. And Shalu who used to find the whole process a little tedious, decided to let him. This weekly routine of him lovingly applying the paste on Shalu’s supple belly caught Amy’s interest as well and soon she began wanting it for herself as well. Akki was only too glad to oblige and thereafter he had two pretty bellies at his disposal every weekend to take care of.

Gradually overtime the skintone of her belly cleared and become spotless. With the lose of some of those excess fat, her navel which had sagged into a horizontal slit for a while regained its natural oval shape. Her belly began to shine with a radiance like never before and became the show stopper that it was today. She would never miss a chance thereafter to flash her belly subtly whenever she met Navneet occasionally on the instances he came to visit Akki. The purpose of this was not to win him back, but just to rub it his face what he lost because of his stupidity. Him desiring her still and lusting after her navel filled her with a sort of sick satisfaction. Never in her dreams had she thought it would all lead to something like this.

DING DONG !!!

She was broken out of her stupor by the sound of her door bell ringing. Who was it at this time? She quickly began wearing her saree, keeping her ears sharp for any sounds from the hall. She raised her waistline to a modest level and just as she was begining to fold her pleats she heard Akki’s cheerful greeting from the hall.

“Pappaa !!!”

Shalu slapped her head. Amidst all the office drama it slipped her mind that Navneet was coming to visit Akki today. Looking at herself in the mirror, a sly smile spread across her lips. She readjusted her waistline back down to 4-5 inches again and began folding her pallu into rather thin pleats with a smirk. It was time to have some fun.

**********

“What’s up champ?” Navneet greeted Akki with a warm smile and a hug as he opened the door. “Wow you have grown taller since I last saw you. Taller than even me now. And you have even more hairs on your chin and cheeks than last time.”

Akki rolled his eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic Pappa. You saw me just a couple of months ago .“

Navneet shrugged. “Two months is a long time my boy. Where is your mum by the way?” he asked looking around. “Isn’t she home?”

“Oh yes she is. She must be changing. She just came back from office a few minutes ago. She will be out in a minute. Come on in Pappa.”

Navneet came in looking around Shalu’s 3 bhk apartment wistfully. It was never a good sight to see your ex-wife who left you doing so well in life without much of your help. Just then Amy walked out of her room as well and gave him a curt greeting. “Navneet Uncle. Been a while since I last saw you. How are you doing?”. Though she acted civil, Amy never really liked him. Knowing the full story of what transpired between him and Shalu, she had lost all respect for him. Somebody who was dumb enough to cheat on an awesome woman like her Shalumma was not worth her respect. But still she put up a civil face whenever she saw him for the sake of Akki. And the feeling was mutual. Navneet knew one of the reasons Shalu was able to afford such a comfortable lifestyle was Amy’s Dad, Vasundar, who poured copious amounts of money into Shalu’s account everymonth from Germany in the name of looking after his daughter. He loathed Vasundar for that and in extension his daughter as well.

“I am well Ameya beti. Akki has been coming over to my house last few times, so there was no need for me to come here. That is why. How are you doing by the way? You have become even more beautiful than the last time I saw you. Quite the spitting image of your mum you have become. “

Amy smiled politely and nodded “I am doing well uncle. Thank you. Shall I get you something to drink? “

Just then door to Shalu’s room opened and the goddess herself walked out looking sexy in her full homely sensual might. Navneet’s jaw dropped. ‘Shalini !!’

“Oh Navneet !!” Shalu greeted him acting all surprised as though she hadn’t known that he has arrived. “When did you come?”

Navneet didn’t answer. He was staring straight at Shalini’s navel which she had graciously left out in the open. Her thinly folded pallu was nowhere near it and as though that wasn’t enough she had tied her saree lower than she usually does leaving more than half of the delicious expanse of her belly wide out in the open. His gobsmacked stare gave Shalu the sick satisfaction she was seeking. She allowed him a few seconds to stare before grabbing her pallu and covering her navel. She sniggered in her mind watching him struggle come back to his senses.

“Ummm yeaa….Shalini….Hi !!…..I am sorry. What did you ask? Ahh yes. I just came in. How are you doing?” Navneet asked flustered.

“I am doing quite well. Thanks Navneet. Make yourselves comfortable. I will get some refreshments while you catch up with Akki.” She said sweetly before turning her back to him and walking towards the kitchen making sure to give a little extra swing to her hips as she walked knowing fully well where Navneet’s eyes must be now.

Navneet eyes followed Shalu’s hips as she dissappeared into the kitchen. He yearned to go after her and grab those curvy love handles with every fiber of his body. If she was still his wife he would already be in kitchen with her by now making out passionately. For the upteenth time in his life he internally cursed his stars for making him do things that eventually resulted in him losing a gem like her from his life. Is there any chance he will ever get her back?

Amy who noticed the entire exchange joined Shalini in the kitchen with a knowing look on her face and began to help Shalu in setting up stove for tea . “Don’t think I haven’t noticed what you just did Shalumma.” She said smirking.

“What?” Shalu asked innocently.

“That little navel show with your saree you just did. You were trying to seduce Navneeth uncle weren’t you?”

“Seduce? Oh please !! I just wanted to give him a little reminder of what he lost. “

Amy shook her head. “Why bother Shalumma? Instead of wasting away your life finding satisfaction in petty things like, you should start thinking about finding a partner again. Navneeth uncle remarried just a few months after your divorce. And that was years ago. Its high time you do as well. ”

Shalu sighed and didn’t respond. She knew Amy had a point. She also knew why Amy was especially interested in the case of her remarriage. She wanted her to marry her father Vasundar. Her brother in law. And truth be told it wasn’t a bad idea at all. Even her family wholeheartedly supported it. But she always felt like she would be dishonouring the memory of her sister even by merely entertaining the idea. So she always tried not to. But all that can wait. Right now she just wanted to make Navneeth squirm where he sat and make him question his life decisions. And she knew just what to do.

**********

“So Navneeth.” Shalu started as soon as she set the tray of tea and biscuits on the table( making sure to give him a amble view of her expansive belly from the sides as she did so) and made herself comfortable beside Akki who immediately threw his arm around her shoulder and held her close. “What is going on with your life? How is Kavitha?”. She made sure Navneeth got a generous glimpse of her belly folds as she sat, something she knew turned him on.

Navneeth squirmed. He was never comfortable talking about Kavitha with Shalu, the woman with whom he had an affair with behind Shalu’s back and later married . That too while trying to ignore the distracting view of Shalu’s gorgeous belly. “She is well.” Navneeth said curtly. “Tell me about you. How is your job going?”

“Surprisingly well I must say. Infact just today I was made quite a mindblowing offer by the CEO of the company Tanveer himself. To act in an ad for our jewellery.”

Navneeth sat stunned. “You mean that ad for Omakari Gold and Diamonds? With the whole medieval theme concept?”

Shalu was surprised. “Actually yes. How do you know about that?”

“Because I created it. It was one of the many concepts I pitched them. And this was the one that got selected. We have been working with Xavier to find a suitable model to perform the ad for a few months now. So far Tanveer has rejected every willing candidate we found.“

Suddenly everything clicked for Shalu. Navneeth was creative director of a popular Advertising Agency in Banglore. Infact it was through his connections at Omkari that she got her interview at Omakari all those years ago in the first place. It totally slipped her mind that Omakari Group was one of his agency’s clients. Now that she thought about it this whole ad concept had Navneeth writtern all over it. Only a navel maniac like him could have come up with such navel centric concept for an ad.

“I see. I didn’t know that. So you know what all that ad script entails.”

“Ofcourse I know. So you are telling they offered you that princess role?” His eyes dropped towards her belly and back to her face. “Please don’t tell me you have accepted it.” Navneeth asked alarmed.

“Wait ! Wait ! Wait !. Somebody fill me in too. What are you guys talking about? What is this offer Mumma?” Akki interjected looking confused.

Shalu quickly explained everything that happened in the office that day, leaving out the parts where she did that little navel show at the presentation and Tanveer’s teasings later at his office.

“Wow Mum.” Akki said thrilled and looking down at her navel in amazement. “Sounds like an amazing offer. And you have the perfect navel to pull it off too. You will be amazing.”

“Shut up Akki. You don’t know what you are talking about. Doing this ad will bring all sort of negative publicity for her.” Navneet said agitated.

“And just why do you think you get to have a say in what I should and shouldn’t do Navneeth? I am a single woman. I can and will do what I please. Whether you like it or not. What society does or does not think doesn’t concern me.

“Forget me and society. What would your family think?” Navneeth asked desperately.

Amy who has been listening in from the side interjected before Shalu could respond “Well I for one think its a wonderful idea and will whole heartedly support her. Akki aleady does. And I am pretty sure we are the only family she needs to concern herself with.”

“Stay out of this Ameya.” Navneeth retorted irritably. “You are not immediate family.”

Shalu bristled. “The only one here who is not my family is you, Navneeth. Amy may not have been born in my womb. But she is and always will be every bit of my child as Akki is.” She said fiercely.

Amy eyes filled with emotional tears hearing that from Shalu. Navneeth recoiled under Shalu’s anger. “Yes I know. I am sorry. I didn’t mean that. Listen. I was only telling you this out of concern. If you do this ad, it will change your entire public image overnight. Everybody you know will begin seeing you in a different light. You will be objectified for your navel everywhere you go. “

“I will be fine Navneeth. Just like how fine I have been doing for the past 12 years without your or society’s help. I thank you for your concern.” Shalu said coldly.

He shook his head dissappointed. “I have said what I needed to say. Rest is upto you. Its your life. You maynot be my wife anymore. But you are still the mother of my child. Whatever you do will indirectly affect his life as well. It will bode you well to think of that too before making such decisions. And incase you didn’t already know, I will be the one directing this ad. So should you decide to do this, you will be working with me.”

“Oh so that is the real reason. Isn’t it? You don’t want to direct another guy into doing things with me that you can’t do with me anymore in your life EVER again.”

Navneeth blanched. He didn’t know what he expected. But the finalty with which Shalu said “EVER” pierced his heart like an arrow. And if he was honest with himself it was exactly the reason why he wanted to turn Shalu against doing this ad. Somewhere inside he still thought of her as his. And her calling him out directly on it was more than what his ego could handle. He scoffed at her.

“Oh please. As if I would want to. EVER. Get yourself down from your high horse Shalini. I am not the one who is still staying single hung up on the past. I am happily married to a beautiful woman now. You are the one…”

“PAPPAA !!!” Akki interjected suddenly in a stern voice uncharateristic of him and everybody quieted down shocked.

“Please leave. We will meet another time.” He said looking down without meeting his eyes. He maybe his Dad. But nobody, not even him was going to disrespect his mother in front of him. He took Shalu’s hand in his and squeezed it.

“Akki…I….” Navneet started despairingly realizing this was gotten totally out of his hands. He forgot Akki was there in the heat of the argument.

“You heard what he said Uncle.” Amy said cooly walking over to the front door and holding it open for him while absently checking her nail polish.

Navneeth gave one last look of contempt at Shalu and Amy and then stormed out of there. But not before he heard the sound of Amy closing the door loudly behind him.

**********

Navneeth was beside himself with anger as he got back inside his car and started driving back home on overspeed. He wanted to rage out his frustration with someone. He plugged in his earpods and said curtly. “Hey Siri. Call Xavier.”

Xavier picked up on the second ring itself. “Hello.”

“Xavier !! What the hell man? Of all the people you could have chosen for doing your stupid jewellery ad you chose my wifff…..my ex-wife??? And you didn’t even bother to inform me beforehand?”

“Woa woa. Calm down man. It wasn’t my decision. Tanveer chose her himself and made the offer after getting a glimpse of her navel during a presentation. It was a spontaneous decision. I was as surprised as you were. Also Shalu hasn’t accepted the offer yet. Or has she? Judging by your temper I guess you heard about it from Shalu herself.”

“What the hell was Tanveer thinking? Choosing someone who is mother of a 15 year old to do an ad like this? To play the part of a young princess, no less. There are plenty of young models out there who would be much more suitable than her.” Navneeth seethed.

“Why are you getting so worked up over this man? She isn’t your wife anymore. Plus Shalu has maintened herself so well over the years. Nobody will guess she is in her mid thirties by her looks alone. I personally think Shalu is an excellent choice for the ad. She has one of the most beautiful navels I have ever seen and that was the primary requirement for the person doing this ad.”

“Thats…not…” Navneeth stuttered. There was no arguing those points. Shalu was indeed not his responsibility anymore. And she did have a gorgeous navel which was perfect for the ad. But that navel belonged to him. “Forget it.” He said finally and cut the call.

He noticed Kavitha’s car was already in the parking lot when he reached back his building. She must be home. Good. She was exactly what he needed at the moment to take his mind off Shalu and her infuriatingly beautiful navel.

“Back so fast?” A facepack covered Kavitha in a croptop and shorts asked in a surprised voice as she opened the doors for him. “I thought you were going out with Akki for dinner.”

“Umm change of plans.” Navneeth said immediately pulling her close and kissing her senseless. Kavitha protested as she felt her facepack dried skin crumbling unpleasantly while being kissed in that state. Once she finally succeeded in pushing him back she look at him crossly and asked “Whoa what brought that on?”

“Umm do I need a reason to kiss my wife.” Navneet asked in husky voice trying to pull her close again. “Come on Navneeth. Not now. Can’t you see I am wearing facepack? Let me go and wash this off first.” She said turning her back and heading for the washroom.

He watched her from behind, his thoughts suddenly taking him back to the moment he was watching Shalu’s moonhips swinging into the kitchen. Kavitha’s figure was everything Shalu’s was not. She had typical model’s body. Very slim, with tiny hips and washboard abs. There was barely any flesh in her body. Her hair was cut short to her shoulders and dyed in a dark blue color. She was gorgeous. But she was not what he craved. But now was not the time to entertain such thoughts at all.

He removed his shoes and shirt and followed her into the washroom. She was still splashing water onto her face when he entered. Her tiny crop top getting soaked in the water in the process. Her freshly cleansed face shining with radiance. Her bare hips and stomach sparkling with droplets of water. Navneeth heated up. He closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her stomach from behind and buried his face into her neck kissing her shoulder blades. Kavitha moaned relenting and turned around to face him and captured his lips in a kiss. Navneeth closed his eyes and tried to imagine she was Shalu. He deepened the kiss with a ferocious intensity making her whimper, his palms caressing her hips and squeezing. But instead of buttery soft skin that squished into his fingers, he was met with taut skin and toned muscles, a harsh reminder that this woman ain’t Shalu.

He sinked onto his knees and tried to bury his face into her stomach. Only to hurt his nose against hard toned ab muscles. He gritted his teeth and settled for just kissing over her smooth skin, picturing Shalu’s heavenly belly in his mind. The way Shalu’s belly skin would melt into his lips as he kissed and whimper under his touches. He reached her navel and thrusted his tongue in, only to be met with a hard knot of skin. And this was the harshest reminder for Navneeth that Kavitha was no Shalu. Unlike Shalu, Kavitha had a outie navel. It had no depth to it. Still Kavitha was pretty sensitive at her navel as well. She moaned when Navneeth sucked her knot into his mouth and nibbled on it. Outie navels did have its own perks like this, Navneeth thought as he chewed on that knot with savage intensity, electrifying and enthralling Kavitha where she stood, dissolving her into a peal of moans and whimpers.