Page 24 of Six Days in Bombay

“Come, come, Nurse Sona,” Dev said, ushering me back into the room with a wave of his arm. I could tell he was the kind of man who was used to getting his way. “Can’t you see the good Dr. Mishra would prefer you stay?”

Startled, I glanced at Dr. Mishra, who had turned a shade darker. His eyes were fixed on the floor.

Dev continued, “Let me tell you something about this fine fellow.”

Dr. Mishra waved his hands in front of him. “There’s no need, Dev. Nurse Falstaff, please see to your patients.”

“Let her stay. Please,” said Mira, who’d been enjoying the banter. “Just for a little while. I want to know more about my doctor too.”

Dr. Mishra shrugged. I stayed.

“We were at Oxford together. Amit always had top marks. I could have, of course, but I was busy chasing the pretty ladies.” He winked at Mira. “Bloody thing was, he had no one to answer to. No family. Big inheritance. He should have been out there crowing like a rooster. Whereas I—” Dev pointed to himself “—have always had to answer to everyone. My parents. The bride they’d choose for me. Even the driver who brought me here.”

Dr. Mishra grinned. “And yet, you still crowed like a rooster.”

Dev put a hand to his heart.“Pure gold is unaffected by a flame.”

I wondered about men—and women—who mixed this easily and intimately with people. I couldn’t imagine myself doing it, much less talking to others so glibly. What would it be like to be one of them?

Dev put his hands in his pants pockets. “So, I was just telling Mira here that my parents are having an engagement party for me.”

Dr. Mishra’s face lit up. “Congratulations, Dev. Is that why you’re in Bombay? Your parents have arranged a wedding?”

“To a beautiful woman from Jaipur. Her name is Gayatri Kaur. I’ve seen her photo, but I haven’t met her. I will tonight. She looks formidable, much like our young nurse here.”

Something made me bold. I arched an eyebrow. “If I am as formidable as you claim, I would have told you to leave so I could take Miss Novak’s temperature.”

Dev held his hands up in surrender. “Oh-ho! I stand corrected. Perhaps Nurse Falstaff is the more daunting one.” He laughed heartily. It seemed as if nothing could ever roust him from that cheerful disposition. He rubbed his hands together. “So it’s all settled. Mishra is coming to the party tomorrow.”

“And Sona will accompany him.” Mira grinned, looking from me to her doctor.

I almost dropped the thermometer. “What? No—I have to work.” I turned to Dr. Mishra. “Don’tyou, Doctor?”

He nodded. “Can’t go I’m afraid.”

“Look at the two of you. Made for each other.” Dev laughed. “Mrs. Mehta promised me she will sort out that scheduling business. She said she owed you, Nurse.” He pointed his finger at Dr. Mishra and me. “You are both coming.” He turned to Mira. “And you, my dear, will come too. Now that you’re feeling better. You know the head of Bombay Talkies will be there.”

Mira’s eyes widened. “Devika Rani?”

“In the flesh.”

The painter clapped her hands. “I’m dying to meet her. Perhaps she’ll want to do a film about my women—the women of South India. Oh, wouldn’t that be capital?”

Dev looked at Dr. Mishra. “So we’re good?”

Dr. Mishra started to object. “I haven’t discharged Miss Novak. We need to see—”

“Look behind you,” Mira said, pleased. “Filip brought my bag because I’m walking out of here tomorrow. I told him I’ve never felt better.”

We turned around. A brown leather case sat at the foot of the bed. I sighed with relief. Mira was feeling better! She would go back to what she loved best—painting.

The doctor was deep in thought. Perhaps Mira’s good turnhad taken him by surprise. Or perhaps he was worried about tomorrow night? Who would take over his shift at the hospital?

Mira clapped her hands. “I can’t wait. It’s been forever since I’ve been to a party! Sona, you can help me pick out a dress!”

Dev kissed her hand once again. “It will be a big do. Everyone who is anyone in Bombay will be there. Most of them are my parents’ friends, business colleagues, relatives, aunties and so on—so it will be nice to see your familiar faces in the crowd. Until then, Mira-ji, Amit-ji.” He patted Amit on the shoulder. “And Nurse Sona.” He leaned toward me with a theatrical whisper. “And if this one doesn’t claim you, I guarantee there will be others who will. That’s what engagement parties are for.” He made a rolling gesture with his hand and bowed to the room.

As he left, I felt a current of energy leave with him. What a presence that man had! I looked at Mira, who was glowing. While Dr. Mishra checked her chart, I took the thermometer out of my apron and put it under Mira’s tongue.

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