Memories of Desire

Sandeep exhaled, leaning back in his chair. His earlier encounter with that Instagram reel had stirred something deep within him, reigniting desires he had long kept buried. His thoughts drifted back to Vrinda—their memories together, the tender moments, and the times when nothing in the world seemed more perfect than the love they shared. His eyes closed as scenes from his past played out in his mind. He hesitated for a moment, but then he picked his phone up, scrolling through the photos he had
stored—pictures of him and Vrinda during the good days. A faint smile crept across his face as he saw images of their happier moments: vacations, anniversaries, and simple candid shots at home.

One photo, in particular, caught his attention. It was from their last wedding anniversary, a trip they had taken to Thailand, the summer before their separation. In the photo, they were standing by the beach, waves crashing gently in the background. Sandeep was in a simple shirt and shorts, but Vrinda… she was breathtaking. She wore a crop top and shorts, her body radiating confidence and allure. The crop top revealed her creamy, smooth waist, and there, perfectly centered, was her navel—the very core of Sandeep’s desires. He zoomed in on the photo, his fingers trembling slightly as the image of Vrinda’s belly filled the screen. Her navel, a perfect, alluring dip, seemed to invite him, just as it had so many times before. The way her skin glistened under the sunlight, with the gentle breeze sweeping her hair across her face, made her look even more stunning. It was as if the sea, the beach, and everything around them had faded into the background, leaving only the tantalizing beauty of her exposed belly.

Sandeep felt a rush of heat course through his veins. His lips parted slightly as he stared at the photo, memories flooding his mind. He remembered how Vrinda used to tease him about his obsession with her navel. “Why are you so obsessive over that part?” she had once asked, her voice playful yet sincere. Sometimes, I wonder if there’s honey dripping from my navel, the way you’re always so fixated on it. Your tongue literally never leaves my navel alone whenever you get a chance”. The memory of her words sent a shiver down Sandeep’s spine. He recalled those countless nights when his tongue had traced every inch of her belly, how he would worship her navel, pressing soft, wet kisses against it, swirling his tongue around it, diving into the depth of her navel with a passion only she could understand. It was his sanctuary, a place where his desires found their release.

As he zoomed in further, his focus narrowed until only Vrinda’s navel was visible on the screen. It was the very definition of perfection—round, deep, with a slight curve that gave it an irresistibly inviting shape. His breath hitched when his eyes fell upon the tiny mole resting just above the left side of her navel. It was a spot he had worshipped countless times, a small mark that seemed to draw him deeper into his desire for her— a gateway to the depth of her navel that had enchanted him for years. His lips would gently trace that very mole, starting from its delicate contour and moving slowly, down to the dip of her navel. His tongue would circle the tiny mark, savoring the softness of her skin before tracing a path down toward the rich, inviting hollow of her navel. The sensation of her skin against his lips, the way her belly would twitch under his touch—it drove him to the edge every time. He remembered how Vrinda would sigh softly whenever he began his journey from that mole, knowing exactly where his tongue would venture next. His body responded instinctively, his fingers gripping the edge of the phone as he brought it closer to his face, the urge to kiss that navel overwhelming him. His breathing grew shallow as his lips hovered above the phone screen, inches away from the image of Vrinda’s navel. He imagined how it felt, how it tasted—like the sweetest nectar, like the most intoxicating elixir that he could never get enough of.

He wanted to kiss it. He needed to kiss it.

Without realizing it, he had brought the phone even closer, his lips now a hair’s breadth away from the screen. His heart raced as he prepared to press his lips against the image, to relive the sensations that had
consumed him for few months. His lips tingled with anticipation, his body aching with a need that only Vrinda could satisfy. The desire to kiss her, even through the phone screen, was overpowering. Just as his lips were about to meet the image, a sudden knock on the door again jolted him back to reality. His heart skipped a beat, and his body jolted. The phone, with Vrinda’s enlarged navel still glowing on the screen, was quickly tucked away into his pocket, his breath ragged, his body still humming with unfulfilled desire. He wiped the corner of his mouth, realizing how close he had come to losing control. His hands shook slightly as he tried to regain his composure, his mind still reeling from the intensity of the moment.

“Come in,” he called, forcing his voice to sound steady.

The door creaked open, and Priya stepped inside, her face calm but her eyes sharp. She hesitated for a moment, taking in the scene before her. Sandeep was sweating—his posture seemed tense, almost unsettled. Priya’s gaze lingered, sensing something off about her mentor.

“Sir,” Priya began, her voice laced with a note of concern, “there’s a patient waiting outside. Shall I send them in?”

Sandeep’s heart was still racing, and for a brief moment, he feared that Priya might have sensed the turmoil he was feeling. He shifted in his chair, his hands gripping the armrests as if they were his lifeline to stay in control. He could feel his composure slipping, but he fought hard to hold onto his
professional demeanor.

“Yes,” he replied, his voice more strained than he had intended. “Please send them in.”

“Right away, sir,” she responded, and with that, she turned and left the room.

As the door clicked shut, Sandeep let out a deep breath, trying to calm the storm within him. He wiped his brow and straightened his coat, preparing to meet the next patient. He reminded himself of where he was, of the need to maintain his composure even when everything inside him screamed otherwise.

Priya stepped in, assisting a limping man who appeared to be in his late 40s. His right ankle was swollen, and he winced with every step. Priya, calm and collected, held him up, his arm draped over her shoulders as she carefully helped him into the chair in front of Sandeep’s desk.

“Thank you, Doctor,” the man muttered as he settled into the chair, breathing heavily.

Sandeep glanced at Priya, who stood next to the table, her hand resting lightly on the patient’s shoulder to steady him. “What seems to be the problem?” Sandeep asked

“I slipped… fell down the stairs this morning. Twisted my ankle badly.”

Sandeep leaned forward, nodding. “I see. How long ago did this happen?”

“About an hour back,” the man replied, wincing as he adjusted his leg.

Sandeep signaled Priya to step closer and assist in examining the patient’s ankle. “Priya, please help lift his leg a bit. Let’s take a closer look.” Priya, still in the room beside the desk, gently lifted the man’s leg, placing it carefully on the stool in front of the doctor.

Sandeep observed the swelling and gently palpated the ankle, checking for signs of fracture. “Does it hurt here?” he asked, pressing along the outer edge of the ankle. The man groaned slightly. “Yes, right there.” Sandeep nodded. “Any numbness or tingling in the foot?” “A little… especially when I try to move it,” the man admitted.

“Can you try moving your toes for me?” Sandeep asked. The man wiggled his toes with difficulty, his face contorting with pain.

Sandeep leaned back. “It looks like you’ve sustained a minor fracture, but to be sure, I’ll refer you to a specialist. Dr. Anu is an excellent orthopedic surgeon—she’ll be able to treat this properly.”

The man nodded, looking relieved. “Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate it.”

Sandeep turned to Priya. “Please call Dr. Anu and let her know we’re referring a patient with an ankle fracture. Also, arrange for him to be transported by ambulance.”

Priya blinked, her face thoughtful. “Sir, I don’t have Dr. Anu’s contact number.”

Sandeep was already reaching for his phone. “No problem. I’ll give it to you—” He unlocked the phone, and as the screen lit up, a close-up image of a navel, zoomed in from earlier, filled the display. For a split second, Sandeep froze. His stomach twisted with panic as he quickly closed the image, but it was too late—he could see Priya had caught a glimpse of it.

There was a heavy silence. Sandeep’s fingers twitched as he lowered the phone, looking up at Priya. Her yes darted away, but a small, knowing smile tugged at the corner of her lips. For a brief moment, neither spoke. The air between them was charged with an awkward tension, but there was something else there, too—something curious in Priya’s gaze.

Priya’s eyes flicked back to him, her smile softening but still tinged with amusement. “Should I… call the ambulance first, sir?” she asked, her voice casual but with a subtle lilt that suggested she knew exactly what she’d seen. Sandeep cleared his throat, trying to steady himself. “Yes, do that,” he muttered, quickly scribbling Dr. Anu’s number on a notepad and handing it to her. “Here’s the number. Call her as well.” Priya took the paper from him. Her expression remained composed, but there was a glint in her eyes—like a secret shared but unspoken.

“I’ll take care of it, Doctor,” Priya said. As the door clicked shut making way out for both Priya and the patient, Sandeep exhaled deeply. His hands rested on the desk, his fingers still trembling slightly. Priya had seen the picture, and from the look on her face, it was clear she had understood what it was. His thoughts spun in a hundred directions, but one thing was certain—things had just become more complicated between him and Priya.