Stand in My Shoes

20. The Switch

I will volunteer Sir!

Nila shouted at the top of her voice. All of them looked at her in awe. Su-Ah and Bethany exchanged looks of shock.

Su-Ah: What are you doing! Are you crazy?

Su-Ah tried to pull down her hand and she shrugged it off.

Nila: Leave me Su-Ah. I wanna do this. I'm ready for it. Don't worry.

Bethany (whispers): Are you out of your mind Nila? Keep your hands out of it!

Nila: I'm fine. Don't worry about me. It's gonna be okay.

Nila went forward with her decision. Su-Ah slapped her forehead.

Su-Ah: This girl would never change.

Pr Amar: Are you really willing to volunteer for this Miss Nila?

Nila: Yeah of course sir. I also trust your invention. I'm ready to do this.

She gave a confident look and turned at Sooraj.

Pr. Amar: (turns at Sooraj): Are you ready to switch bodies with her, Sooraj?

Sooraj thought for a moment and said okay.

Pr. Amar: So we've got two volunteers. Thanks a lot for trusting me and my invention. Both of you come with us. Others may go to your classes.

Before leaving, Nila called Bethany and Su-Ah aside. They were extremely worried about the experiment. She tried to console them.

Su-Ah (worried): Are you really gonna do this? Aren't you scared?

Nila: Yeah. It would be a new experience. Why should I get scared? It would be completely fine.

Bethany: Seriously you are doing this because of what he had said? Come on! He just wants to annoy you. Can't you understand? Why do you have to do this?

Nila: To put a rubber cork on his big wide mouth!

Bethany: So simple! Do you think he would keep his mouth shut after this? I'm telling you, just think again before you act.

Nila: Stop worrying about me both of you. I'll be fine. I'm not doing this for that alone. I wanna experience being a boy at least one time in my life. This is my only chance. Morever, it's for a few minutes and we would be back to normal again. So no worries.

Bethany and Su-Ah were still not convinced by this.

Nila: One more thing. Don't tell this to Riya and others. If they ask, Just tell them that I've gone for a seminar with the professors. For they would be mad if they hear about this. Please...promise me that you won't tell them.

Nila pleaded with them and they agreed.

Bethany: Fine. We won't tell anyone but please be careful okay?

Nila : I will. Don't worry.

In the meanwhile, the director and Pr. Amar were having a serious discussion with each other regarding the experiment.

Pr. Amar: Sir, first they need to go through a medical examination. Only then we would be able to decide whether they are eligible for a body switch or not. This is a time consuming process. So I suggest that you may postpone the meeting to tomorrow. We'll have a trial session today at the laboratory.

Director: Okay I would announce it right away.

Later, Nila and Sooraj were led into the interiors of large colossal laboratory, having large with ceilings and lights. Nila. was totally flabbergasted and tried hard not to swoon. Doctors and Nurses were also present inside the lab. Pr. Amar introduced them.