"This is Ms. Bea de Leon, Sir, ma'am. She will be your child's surrogate mother." The doctor introduced them.
4 years married, Julia and Thirdy has remained childless. Julia didn't like the idea of being pregnant and as she would say, "it will ruin my figure and eventually my job." The couple love kids, no doubt about that, she just didn't want the appearance she would have to experience when a baby starts growing inside her.
Thirdy extended his hand to her, Julia was just staring.
"How will these process work? I don't want my husband to have sex with her." Julia said.
"No contact po itong gagawin natin. Kukuha lang tayo sperm sa husband nyo which is placed directly into the uterus of Miss Bea here to help facilitate fertilization."
"What is the success rate of this procedure, Dra?" Thirdy asked, his eyes glued at Bea.
" Usually over 20% per cycle. If gusto nyo ng sure success with the procedure then we will have to opt for the traditional where the father and the surrogate will have physical contact."
"That's not happening." Julia responded.
The doctor thoroughly explained to them all the procedures involved, medical, psychological and legal procedures.
After the numerous tests, they started the procedure. Ilang beses naging unsuccessful sila for various reasons.
"Pasensya ka na, nadidistorbo ka namin mag asawa ilang beses na." Thirdy said nung minsang mag abot sila ni Bea sa clinic.
"Not a problem naman, I think the doctors have explained well what to expect, so psychologically and physically, ready ako. Kayo damay pati financial aspect." Bea explained.
"We're good, napaghandaan naman namin itong decision namin."
"Ayaw pa din iconsider ng wife mo to experience carrying your own child?"
"That's very impossible. Tamad sya mag workout, tamad mag diet and if she gets pregnant, yan ang magiging problema nya."
She looked at her watch.
"Late na pala, I better get going."
"Hatid na kita sa inyo, medyo late na."
"It's okay, may grab naman."
"I insist, sobrang hassle na nadala namin sayo mag asawa."
"But I get paid."
"Come on, ihahatid na kita, tara."
Thirdy led her to where he is parked, opened the door for her. Nung pareho na sila nasa loob, Bea gave instructions papunta sa kanila.
"Halika pasok ka muna?" Bea invited him nung makarating sa kanila.
"Okay lang ba?" Thirdy wanted to be sure.
"Oo naman. You pay for my service, that makes you my boss kaya pasok ka na muna, I'll cook something. Call your wife first para di mag aalala sayo."
"She's away for a modeling stint in Milan, 1 month syang wala."
Madami pa sila napagusapan. Nagpadeliver na lang si Thirdy ng pagkain.
Conversations.
Foods.
Drinks.
Loneliness.
One thing led to another.
A memory, a slow dance, a single tender kiss that lasted minutes.
