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Aryan took a deep breath to control his anger. When that didn’t work, he fantasised about throwing her out of his car right at the news vans. But he’d never hear the end of it from his sister, so that option was out.
“I’m sorry I snapped at you, Aryan. But I’m too upset to talk. And I know that your patients are waiting. I don’t want to delay you any longer. Why don’t I go with you to the hospital and hide in a closet until the palace security staff gives me the all-clear?”
Aryan laughed, a rusty sound that took him by surprise. When was the last time he had laughed whole-heartedly, he wondered. He smiled at his patients, but who could resist smiling at kids? It was the adults who made everything so difficult.
“What’s so funny?”
Aryan shook his head.
“Nothing. It’s just the thought of finding a conveniently empty closet in the place that I’m going to after I drop you off.”
Jessie turned in the seat and pulled her legs up.
“Where are you going?” she asked curiously.
“To the palace to drop you off.”
“No, after that?”
“That doesn’t concern you. You’re going home,” he said firmly.
“I won’t get out of the car. You will have to drag me out kicking and screaming, and won’t that bode well for the future of your career?”
Aryan growled as he slammed his hand on the steering wheel.
“You are such a pain in the ass, Jessie! You’re... you’re... spoilt and selfish and so entitled,” he yelled.
For a second, he could have sworn that he saw pain flash through her eyes, but the next moment, he was sure he was mistaken, for she peeped at him through her lashes and smirked.
“Likewise, Doc. But you’re still stuck with me. I’m playing doctor’s assistant today.”
Aryan gritted his teeth and put the car in gear.
She wanted to play? Well, he’d give her something to play with, he vowed.
Ten minutes later, Jessie was looking out of the window in confusion.
“Umm, Aryan? Your hospital is that way,” she said, pointing a finger in the opposite direction.
“I know,” he replied shortly.
He turned down a narrow lane and as usual, prayed that the big metal dustbin in the middle of the lane didn’t scrape the side of his car. It was close, but he drove past without a scratch, ignoring Jessie’s muted squeak as the dustbin wobbled a little when they passed it.
“Aryan, are we lost?”
“No. I’m exactly where I want to be,” he said, with a satisfied smile, knowing that she was getting increasingly nervous.
The little princess had probably never seen this seedier side of Devgarh. She probably didn’t know that it existed. Aryan parked in an empty slot by the side of a narrow brick building and turned to Jessie who looked very pale.
“Let’s go, Jessie,” he said, gently.
She craned her neck and looked around curiously.
“Where are we going?”
Aryan expected her to kick up a fuss and refuse to get out of the car. To his disappointment, she got out calmly. He led her down the lane that was dotted with human excrement and resisted the urge to help her avoid the dirty bits. He wanted her to enjoy the full experience, poop and all.
She didn’t say a word as she walked carefully with her head down. Nor did she hold her nose when they passed an overflowing gutter. This was the dirtiest, seediest slum in Devgarh. But Jessie walked quietly as if she were strolling in a park.
