Page 23 of Six Days in Bombay

“How else can we show the bloody Brits we won’t be bullied anymore? The elections proved we’re ready to govern ourselves and still they ignore us.”

“Are you coming to the rally on Friday?”

As I passed them, I turned my head to catch their conversation when my wheels seemed to lock in place. My body jerked forward, almost throwing me off the bike. I looked around for the cause. Indira’s husband, Balbir, was gripping my handlebar. He smelled ofpaanand cigarettes. His eyes blazed with anger.

“Stay away from my wife! Indira doesn’t need you putting your perverted ideas in her head. Don’t come around our house or talk to her at work. You will regret it.” He lifted a hand asif he were going to slap me. Fear gripped me, but I willed my body not to flinch. We stared at one another for a long moment.

He leaned close to my ear and whispered, a hint of menace in his voice, “And remember: I can follow you home anytime.”

“Even that won’t give you the son you’re looking for, Balbir,” I said quietly.

His mouth sprang open, a look of shock on his face. He wasn’t used to women talking back. He loosened his grip on my handlebars.

“Hey, what are you doing?” one of the students shouted. I realized they were talking to Balbir. With a menacing glance at me, he let go of my bicycle and walked quickly away.

The young men were running toward me. “Miss, are you alright?”

I thanked them for their kindness and pedaled away, still shaking. When I got home, as soon as my fingers stopped trembling, I locked up my bicycle. Then I smoothed my skirt and wiped the sweat from my brow before walking up the stairs to our flat.

Chapter 5

I went to take Mira’s temperature the following evening. She was sitting up against her pillows, alert. There was pink in her cheeks and light in her eyes. I was relieved to see her looking so much better. Perhaps Matron had talked to Horace and the morphine supplier had been changed?

Standing by Mira’s bedside was a gentleman in a tailored suit. He was young, around Dr. Mishra’s age, and just an inch or two shorter. His face was all angles—a sharp nose, a pointed chin, jutting cheekbones. The hair on his temples was receding, a sure sign he would go bald at an early age. His warm brown eyes, a ready smile, his relaxed stance—all radiated good humor. A man who was used to being liked.

Mira was laughing at something he’d said. “This is why we need you back in Bombay, Dev. To liven things up.” She gave him a sideways look. “Livenmeup.” Their laughter hinted at past intimacies. It embarrassed me, and yet, I couldn’t look away from him, from them.

He kissed her hand.

Mira noticed me, standing in the doorway. “Sona! Come meet a dear friend of mine.” As usual, she held out her hand for me take. “This is Dev Singh, a lovely man when he’s not flirting with anyone but me.”

Dev was good-natured about the dig. He offered me a cheerful smile, revealing perfectly white teeth.

Mira said, “Sona is the most splendid nurse. Don’t you think she’s absolutely gorgeous?”

I must have flushed an unattractive shade of pink.

Dev crossed his arms over his chest, as if he were a scientist, studying me in the lab. I didn’t have the urge to cover myself, feeling as though I’d walked into the room naked, as I had with Dr. Holbrook. “She does have certain charms. The uniform. The cap. And those white shoes. Absolute stunner.”

“Don’t be naughty,” Mira said.

“And she does have a no-nonsense quality about her.” He looked at Mira. “I think she’d tell you when you were out of line. And punish you for it.” He made a motion with his hand as if he were slapping an imaginary cheek. But his smile, the way the corners of his eyes crinkled, told me his teasing meant no harm. I didn’t want to, but I smiled, enjoying his attention.

“And she’d be right.”

We turned to see who’d spoken. Dr. Mishra entered the room.

“Amit!” Dev walked around the bed to shake Dr. Mishra’s hand heartily. “I heard you were working at this hospital. How are you, old bean?”

Dr. Mishra smiled at Dev, but his eyes were guarded.

Dev said, “Mrs. Mehta told me you were at this hospital now. The Mehtas have known our family for ages. And she also told me…” He glanced at Mira. “That a certain celebrated painter was in your midst—someone whom I’ve actually had the pleasure of knowing once or twice.”

“Twice, if I remember correctly.” Mira laughed, wagging her head in imitation of Indians.

Dev grinned and shook a finger at her.

I felt as if I’d walked in on a private party with the glamorous threesome. I released Mira’s hand. “I should go,” I said vaguely and took a few steps toward to door.

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