Chandni's Navel - "Tangled Darkness"

Cosmo & Jumbo

Chandni and Manu finished up the dinner at their favorite restaurant. It had been months since they had been on a date night, and they were both feeling relaxed and refreshed. The stress of Manu's job and the shortage of finances had been weighing on them both, but tonight they were able to put all of that aside and enjoy each other's company.

Chandni was feeling particularly happy, as she was earning some side income due to her recent hustle with Jagan. She certainly didn't want to tell Manu about it, as she didn't want him to think negatively. In any case, she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement about the future. Finance troubles were most likely going to be a thing of the past soon.

As they walked out of the restaurant, Manu put his arm around Chandni, holding her exposed waist firmly and smiled. "I'm so glad.... we did this," he said "I've missed spending time with you."

"Me too...." Chandni said, "I'm glad we could finally make it work."

Chandni and Manu walked down the dark street, lost in their own thoughts. The street was dimly lit by street lamps, and all of a sudden they both felt a sense of unease.

Chandni thought that the waiter who had taken her note with Jagan's number on it might be following them. She didn't want Manu to find out, so she tried to act normal. On the other hand, Manu thought that it might be the people who thought he had stolen the money. He didn't want Chandni to get scared, so he tried to stay calm and keep an eye out for anything suspicious.

As they walked, they both kept glancing over their shoulders, but they couldn't see anyone following them. They started to relax a little, but they were still on edge.

Finally they reached their apartment building, and went inside. They were both relieved to be safe, as they closed the door making sure the outside hallway was clear. As they lay in bed, they couldn't help but think about the feeling of being followed. They both knew that something was wrong, but they didn't know what it was.

Manu tried to break out of his thoughts, "Baby... You looked absolutely stunning tonight... Did you notice those other customers of the restaurant, how they were all ogling at you.. Haha.. I think your navel was driving them crazy ...."

Chandni blushes and smiles before bursting out in laughter, "You are so shameless.... They were ogling at your wife and you were laughing..." as she punches Manu's arm jokingly.

"Laughing??.... No baby No... this is not me laughing at the situation... This is me laughing at those losers who wish they had a wife like you.... I am just too proud to be your husband.... What more can I say...?" he sticks out his hand and with a wavy gesture reaches over to Chandni's belly.

Before Manu could enjoy what he loves to enjoy the most, which is Chandni's belly and navel. They heard a sound of something falling in the living room, getting startled they both jumped up. Two men walk inside their room, which they could not recognize before.

Manu and Chandni, even though largely panicked, somehow were expecting something unusual might happen due to the situation they sensed while walking back from the restaurant.

"Wh... Whooo.... Who are you people.. How did you get inside...", Manu exclaimed as he tried to gather himself and pulled Chandni behind her.

"Who are asking us... who are we?... You asshole.... You have our money... don't you???... We are going to beat the last penny out of you tonight...." One of the men yelled back at both of them

"I did not steal any money.... You bastards... get out of here...." Manu shouts at them.

One of the guy grabs Manu and holds his collar, "You didn't steal then where did the money goooo.....???"