“I have no choice,” she grumbled.
Karan disappeared for a bit, while Roshan and Vishal helped Nimita back up to the car. Karan was waiting with a pouch of ice. They walked her toward the passenger seat.
“Hey!” Her protest was expected.
Roshan turned to her. “You can’t possibly think you’re driving.”
“I can drive!” she insisted, even as she winced.
“You have a sprained ankle and a possible broken toe.” He spoke slowly to be sure she understood.
“In myleftfoot.” She mimicked his slow speech.
Roshan shook his head and spoke calmly, invoking his doctor voice once again. “That foot needs rest, elevation and ice. Plus, I’m not excited about you driving these roads while clearly in pain.”
She stared at him and groaned. “Fine. There’s no need to get huffy.”
This woman was going to be the death of him. He stared at her, wondering what was behind the need for such control. “Vishal. There’s ibuprofen in that bag.”
Vishal chuckled behind him. “Let’s get her in the car,” he said amiably.
They settled her into the front seat—she refused the back. They elevated her left foot on the dash. Roshan secured the ice pack over her ankle and toe with another ACE bandage. Karan handed her ibuprofen and water, while Roshan settled himself in the driver seat.
“All set?” he asked.
“I suppose,” she grumbled.
He pulled out of the parking spot.
“Look out. People walking,” she said.
“I can see them.” He spoke through gritted teeth, all memory of her body against his washed away. He pulled out to the junction and gave his signal.
“Let’s stop at Kaihalulu Beach on the way home,” Nimita said.
“You really need to rest,” he stated.
“I’ll be fine.” She waved a hand. “You guys shouldn’t miss this because of me. I’m tougher than you give me credit for.”
Roshan studied her for a minute. She would feel awful if they missed out on something because she was injured. It was against his medical instinct. She really should rest that ankle. Though she was a grown woman and that was her call. He shrugged. “Tell me which way to go.”
“Great.” A small smile of relief lit up her face. It was a beautiful thing. “Just be careful. Cars come speeding around the corner.”
“I have driven a car before,” he snarked. “On a road, even.”She’s injured, he told himself.Be patient.
He made it two miles before she said, “Watch the curve.”
“I can see it.”
“Don’t get so close to the line,” Nimita said.
He moved the car away from the center line.
“Too close to the side,” she said.
“Nimi! Are you kidding me?” he snapped at her. “I can drive a car.”
“Can you, Dave? Because you’re all over the road,” she snapped back.
