The Surrogate Mother

Chapter 5- She can't be pregnant

Ivah POV

"According to your ultrasound, your uterus is already damaged. There is only one way to treat this. You have to undergo an operation called total hysterectomy, a removal of your uterus and cervix. You also need to undergo bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy or removal of your two ovaries and fallopian tubes, to avoid further development of cancer. After surgery, you can't produce eggs, become pregnant and no longer menstruate."

The moment my doctor said that it was like my world collapsed. Every woman dreams of having children. That 'every' includes me.

"You can't be serious Doc. I have to produce an heir for my husband." He will leave me for sure. We got married not because we love each other, but because we need each other. Kailangan namen ang kapangyarihan ng bawat isa. Competition in the business field is fierce, especially since many new companies are being established. So our family's company had to merge. With that being said, marriage is a must.

"I do understand your disbelief but this is what the result says. As your doctor, it's my job to give you the right diagnosis and proper treatment for that. Here, take this medicine whenever you can't handle the pain. Contact me if you're ready to undergo an operation, I'll ask my secretary to prepare for everything."

Inabot nya sakin ang pain reliever but I didn't take those medicines. "You're lying. You better be prepared because once I find out about your fake diagnosis I will take down your clinic." I angrily stood up and rushed to leave the area.

My driver greeted me and opened the car door for me. I took my cellphone out of my bag and dialed my secretary's number. "Hello Claire, book me an appointment with another OB-Gyne" I ended the call as soon as I said that. "Sa mall po" I told the driver when I noticed he was looking at me in the rear-view mirror as if he was waiting for my instructions on where to go next.

I'm planning to have a second opinion. I can't accept that doctor's diagnosis. Not now that in a few months, I know my husband will divorce me. He can divorce me without an heir. It's all in our contract before our marriage. If we fail to produce an heir after 1 year and a half of marriage, one of us can file a divorce. We are married in the States so basically, divorce is possible to file.

When I arrived at my office here in my newly established mall, I saw a pile of paperwork on my table. "What are these Claire?" I asked my secretary.

"Ma'am that's the least contract po ng mga lessee naten dito, contract sa mga suppliers naten and sales report for the 1st month"

"How about the employees?" I am referring to my employees who are working under my management. Mula ng mag operate kasi ang mall i haven't had a chance to know them due to my busy schedule. She handed me a folder. I opened it and saw different resumes.

"Ma'am remind ko lang po kayo with your meeting with the marketing department." I looked at my wristwatch to check for a time. The meeting will be in 30 mins. I thanked her and told her to go back to work. I closed the folder of resumes, maybe I can check it later after the meeting.

The meeting went smoothly. We talked about strategies to promote our mall. We must attract and hold the attention of our potential customers. They propose to get an endorser. It can be a celebrity or a social media influencer. Pumayag naman ako.

"Kahit sino basta may mataas ng bilang ng followers and fans. Budget is not a problem, ang importante ay we let people know our product and services." I answered when they asked me if i have someone in my mind to be our endorser. To be honest i don't know any new celebrities or influencers nowadays. I rarely watch Tv and videos on phone. I am busy running a business. Aside from this mall meron ding Engineering company ang dad ko na ako ang nagpapatakbo before sya magkasakit. Ayun ang nai merge sa Architecture Firm na negosyo ng pamilya ng asawa ko. These two companies are now being managed by my husband so makakapag focus na ako dito sa mall.

The marketing department presented me with many proposals and I approved a few of it. I signed the documents, which they will present to the Finance Department for the budget of the marketing projects.

After that meeting, my secretary told me that she booked me an appointment with the doctor after lunch tomorrow. I told her to clear my appointments on that time tomorrow.

Dahil wala na naman akong kailangan asikasuhin na urgent, i decided na mag ikot ikot sa mall. Sometimes we need time for ourselves. A little time to escape from the problems. That's why I'm planning to spend my remaining time of this day as 'my time'. Kinakabahan ako sa check up ko bukas. Paano kung ganun padin ang madinig kong findings?

Just like an ordinary person, nag ikot ikot lang ako sa mall ko. It's my first time to see the actual operation of the mall. I've always been in the office since it opened. Many people are chilling and walking. Sa pag iikot ikot ko nagkakaron na din ako ng ideas on what to add to satisfy the people who are coming here.

Gaya ng dagdag na bench, so they can rest after roaming or it can be a place to stay when they need to wait for someone or maybe a spot to pass their times.

Maganda din kung gawin kong pet friendly ang mall. Magpapalagay ako ng mini park para sa mga fur babies. Syempre meron din playground para sa mga toddler to kids, for free. Maganda ding pang attract yun sa ibang lessee dito because people might eat here or buy something within the mall.

Umakyat ako sa 4th floor to watch cinema. Now showing ang 'Marriage on the rocks' kaya pumila ako sa bilihan ng ticket. I can't stop crying while watching because I can relate to what the wife in the movie is going through. Just like me hinihiwalayan sya ng asawa nya dahil hindi sya mabigyan ng anak. And worse is nakabuntis na ang asawa nya ng ibang babae.

I can't imagine how painful this incident is. She doesn't want to not have children but in the end she's only one to suffer. Dahil magiging masaya ang asawa nya sa ibang babae. Unconsciously, napapahigpit na pala ang hawak ko sa lata ng softdrinks. Kung sa akin mangyari to hindi ako papayag maging masaya sila.

After ng movie ay nag arcade din ako. Short after, nag decide ako mag shopping. Dito ako sa department store ng mall mag shoshopping ofcouse para sa mall mapunta ang sales. Napadaan ako sa infant wear, It must feel good to shop for baby stuff and see them wearing cute clothes and dresses specially if a baby girl.

My smile slowly fades. Sana nagkamali lang ang doctor kanina. Masakit na nga na hindi ako mahal ng asawa ko, tapos hindi pa ko magkakaanak.

I shook my head and removed my bad thoughts. Dapat masaya lang ako because it's my 'me time'. Dumeretso na ako sa woman's wear. I am specifically looking for an office attire. Dahil office bahay lang naman ang palagi kong pinupuntahan.

"Good evening maam, meron po kaming naka sale para dyan. That is 1000 each set pero kung dalawang set po ang bibilin nyo 1,499 nalang" A sales lady appeared out of nowhere.

"No thank you. I don't look at the price, I look more at the design and brand" i said without looking at her.

"Ah design ba kamo ma'am ito po ang mga best seller namen sa corporate attire" I just continued choosing dress and ignored her. but she keeps on talking. "Sa complexion nyo ma'am bagay po sa inyo itong pula, magmumuka po kayong maputi lalo. And i advise po na mag tali po kayo ng buhok pag suot nyo to para kita ang jaw line nyo. Messy bun po para hot tignan. Naku ma'am siguradong lalong ma iinlove ang boyfriend nyo sa inyo. Tapos po-."

Hindi nya tinapos ang sasabihin nya dahil tinignan ko sya ng masama. "Can you just leave me alone? Hindi ako maka focus sa pag shoshopping ko." She lowered her head and apologised to me. She left and i continued my shopping.

I found myself weird as i make my way to the cashier to pay for a dress that sales lady recommended. This is out of my style at masyadong plain but there's no harm in trying.

~~

The next day

It's almost lunch time when I finished getting ready for today. Pupunta muna ako sa OB bago pumasok sa opisina. I called Claire and instructed her important job for this morning since ma lelate nga ako ng dating. I wore the dress i bought yesterday sa mall.

I am here in the kitchen eating my lunch, ALONE. Palagi naman. Never pa kaming magsabay sa hapag kainan. but that was before, dahil bigla syang sumulpot at umupo sa isang upuan na malayo sakin. Binigyan sya ng platot kutsara ng kasambahay.

"Himala at naisip mong kumain dito." taray tarayan kong tanong pero deep inside ay natutuwa ako.

"This is my house ano namang himala doon." Sumandok sya ng kanin at ulam, kumain lang sya at hindi man lang ako tinapunan ng tingin.

I didn't answer him because we might just argue. Mabilis nya inubos ang pag kain nya at tumayo agad. "You done eating? That fast?" Tanong ko sakanya.

"I don't want to breathe the same air you breathe." Hindi pa man naguumpisa ang araw ko nasisira na agad. "But anyway you look nice on your dress." or maybe not? Did he just compliment me? This is the first time my husband compliments me. Oh i have to find that sales lady for more advice and recommendations.

Afternoon came and i am here at the clinic for a 2nd opinion. Just like yesterday sinabi ko ang nararamdaman ko and I also showed the ultrasound report.

For the second time, I heard those words again 'You can't be pregnant ' I could not think properly. What will happen to our marriage? I will not allow him to leave me but how? How can I give him a child? Anak lang ang paraan para manatili kaming mag asawa.

Due to my disappointment, I didn't come to my office and decided to go to our house instead. I mean my parents' house. Tatawagan ko nalang si Claire na hindi na ako makakapasok. Gusto ko sana mag bar but i bet wala pang bukas na bar at this hour. I called my mom. She is currently in Los Angeles taking care of my dad. It took only a few rings before she answered the call.

"Mommy" I cried as soon as I heard her voice saying 'hello my dear daughter ' I wished to have someone to call my daughter or son too. "Mom I need you I don't know what to do"

"Why? What happened to you anak? Hush now Mommy will help you"

"Mom I can't bear a child anymore. I've been experiencing severe lower abdominal pain lately. I came to the doctors and they said they have to remove my Uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. Raphael would dump me if he knew about this and I can't let that happen. I am good as dead pag nawala sya"

"Don't say that, mommy will find a way."

"Isang taon na kaming kasal, at kalahating taon pa iiwan nya na ko. kailangan ko mabuntis mom. You have to be here. Help me" I pleaded.

"I'm sorry baby,, but mommy can't leave your dad alone. Ganito nalang ha, mommy will find a pregnant woman who's willing to sell her baby, after she gives birth. Ipapalabas naten na anak nyo ni Raphael ang bata. But you also have to do your job. Kailangan may mangyari sa inyo para maniwala syang nabuntis ka nya."

"No mom, matalino ang asawa ko. I know ipapa DNA test nya yung bata kapag hindi sya nakaramdam ng lukso ng dugo. I'd be doomed if that happens." The other line was silent for a moment. Maybe she's thinking of another way.

"Are you familiar with surrogacy? You know nauuso yan dito sa states sa mga mag asawa with the same s*x. All we need is a girl who's willing to impregnate with your husband's child."

"What? Hell no mom. Are you saying magbayad ako ng babae at ipabuntis sa asawa ko? I can't accept na may ibang gagalawin ang asawa ko. That's a NO mom"

"Well dear, you only have two options.

Adoption or surrogacy? The final call is yours. Mommy will just listen to whatever you say. Take a rest first at pag isipan mo itong mabuti. I love you anak" With that, the call ended.

Surrogacy? Makakaya ko bang tanggapin na may ibang ikakama ang asawa ko? Pero kung adoption madali akong mabubuking. Isang DNA test lang tapos na ako, but with surrogacy kahit ipa paternity test sila ni Raphael the result will be 99.9% matched. Plus they wouldn't dare na ipa maternity test kami ng bata as long as i claim kong anak ko sya. Bahala na! My head is hurting, I need to grab a drink.

It was already midnight when I decided to go home. This time our home, yung bahay na regalo ng parents ni Raphael sakanya so we can have a place to be called home. A home where we can raise a family, but now that is almost impossible.

"Finally, I'm home." Napasalampak ako sa sofa. I'm a bit tipsy, dahil naparami din ang inom ko.

"Where have you been getting home at this very late hour?" I looked where the voice came from.

"Ohh. My husband is here. Are you even real? But no way, hindi ako inuuwian nun. You can't be real" I came next to him and pinched his cheeks. "Parang totoo yung standee hehe. You also look like my husband but sorry he's way hotter than you" Napayakap ako sakanya dala ng kalasingan

Naramdaman ko nalang na binuhat nya ko at papunta kami sa kwarto. Realization hits me. His truly my husband and i am not hallucinating.

'But you also have to do your job. Kailangan may mangyari sa inyo para maniwala syang nabuntis ka nya'

I suddenly remembered what my mom said. This is my chance, we have to make it. Ok lang din kung mag adopt ako, gagalaw naman ang pera ko para magpeke ng resulta if one day maisipan nyang magpa paternity test. I just can't allow him to sleep with others.

I felt him slowly laying me down on our bed. He turned on the air conditioner and put a blanket on me. When he was about to leave, I grabbed his wrist.

'This is it' said the back of my mind. I pulled him closer to me and kissed him aggressively. I wrapped my arms around his neck so he wouldn't fight back. At first, I felt he kept on pushing me a little, but seconds later he was already responding to my every kiss.

If I am aggressive, he is more aggressive. He's like a beast in bed and I love it. He bit my lip then it tasted like blood, but I didn't care.

While kissing, we were getting undressed little by little. His kiss went down from my lips to my neck. He bit every corner of it and I think it will leave a mark tomorrow. His lips moved down towards my breast. He sucked them like a baby, taking turns playing with it. Ohhh I feel heaven. It's been a year since we did this and I felt like I was alive again.

He returned his kiss to my lips and positioned his length in my entrance. 'I'm ready' But my eyes suddenly widened when he stopped and stood up. He picked up his underwear and put it on.

"This can't be happening" He said out of frustration.

"But why? We're legally married. Walang mali RJ. Ayaw mo lang." I started crying.

"I can't betray her again" So she's still the reason all along.

"You're not betraying anyone, because i am your wife for goodness RJ. Hanggang kailan mo ba matatanggap na wala na kayo. Baka nga may iba na din na nagpapasaya sakanya. So please wake up" He quickly approached me and struggled me with his hand. "Ano ba nasasaktan ako"

"Talagang masasaktan ka sakin if you keep bluffing nonsense. Wala. Syang. Iba. I will find her and win her back. Then i will divorce our marriage."

He let go of my face and turned his back on me. "You wished RJ. Wag mo kalimutan na hindi mo ko pwede iwan pag nabuntis ako." He stopped for a moment and laughed.

"Don't worry wala akong balak galawin ka. Hindi na ito mauulit" Nagbighis sya at lumabas ng kwarto.

The next thing i heard was his car's engine. He left me again. Sanay na kong umaalis sya pero tonight's different. Bakit ba hindi nya makalimutan ang babaeng yun.

I hugged my naked body and cried all night.

Raphael POV

We were kissing aggressively, i positioned myself to her entrance. Lalaki din ako at kailangan ko to kaya bahala na sana lang ay hindi ko sya mabuntis.

'MGA WALANG HIYA KAYO'

I opened my eyes as if I heard that. Her scream, her cry, her sorrow. Gusto ko syang habulin that time pero hinarangan ako ng mga tauhan ng mommy ko at sapilitan nila akong dinala sa L.A para ipakasal sa babaeng kasama ko ngayon. Tinakot ako ng mommy na kapag di ako magpakasal kay Ivah, ipapatanggal nya si Andrea sa scholars. Sisiguraduhin din nyang hindi matatanggap si Andrea sa kahit saang Engineering Company. Takot ako because i know how she wanted to become an Engineer

Iniwan ko si Ivah na umiiyak. I feel sorry for her. I didn't mean to be rude but I can't love her. Hindi ako katulad nila mommy at daddy na pinag kasundo at eventually they learnt to love each other. There's only one girl who I wanted to be with for the rest of my life.

What Ivah said keeps repeating on my mind. May iba na kaya sya? Napahampas ako ng malakas sa manibela ko. Hindi ko kayang makitang masaya sya sa ibang lalaki. I sounded like a selfish person , but who cares. I am really selfish when it comes to her.

I think it's time to find her. Hindi ko na ma aantay yung divorce. Kung noon hindi ko nagawang harapin sya dahil alam kong lalayuan nya ko pag nalaman nyang kasal ako sa iba, ngayon buo na ang loob ko and i will never repeat the same mistake again.

Being a mistress is the least thing she wanted to be. Sabi nya nun mas gusto nyang maging hayop kaysa maging kabit. Dahil sa kabit ay nasira ang pamilya nila.

Please wait for me babe, My Andeng. We're going to meet again soon.