SURROGATE FOR MR. STRANGER (ENGLISH)

Chapter 4

One of the men covered my mouth to stop me from screaming. I stifled a scream and cried. My tears flowed like a faucet, while my chest continued to tighten due to the rapid beating of my heart, caused by the fear of the situation I'm currently in. Two more men approached me, so I just closed my eyes. I didn't want to remember their faces. If I manage to get out of here alive, I don't want to recall every part of these men's faces.

And when I thought that no more help would come, I heard a loud bang. It seemed like the door to the room I was in was forcefully opened.

I heard a scream. The men cursed. I screamed with my eyes closed out of fear.

"You're safe now; hold on..." Lily's voice reassured me. She hugged me and held me.

Mama Sang was very angry with Lily and me; we received hurtful words from her. If Lily hadn't threatened to report the incident to the police, she wouldn't have stopped. I didn't want what happened to reach our people, so I chose not to report it to the police. They're wealthy people, so my statement might not be heard. My word against their money.

"My intuition was really bad earlier. I couldn't sit still because I didn't know." She shook her head. We're already outside the hospital.

The nervousness in my chest and the trembling of my entire body still haven't disappeared, but I'm trying to fight it.

I can't afford to be weak. My sibling with a serious illness needs me.

"Fortunately, the customer I approached earlier at the club was kind. I asked for help and explained that we would come to see you because I had a feeling that something bad might happen. Then he instructed his bodyguards to accompany me and check on you." Lily shrugged while continuing to speak.

I held her hand. It was trembling, clearly showing her nervousness and distress due to what happened.

"Thank you, Lily. If you weren't there, I don't know what would have happened to me." I might have been in serious danger if the men's intentions had been carried out."

My God! Thank you very much.

"I can't stay quiet, Iya. What if something terrible happens to you? I will blame myself because I was the one who brought you to Mamang's place. That old person is really shameless. They even planned to pimp you to three guys! Such a beast!"

I scolded her to lower her voice.

"It's not your fault. I was the one who asked you to take me there."

I sighed and looked up at the stars in the sky.

"And can we forget what happened tonight? Can you also not mention this to anyone, please?" I pleaded with her.

I looked at her seriously. I wanted to make a promise to her because I know her. Sometimes, due to her excessive talkativeness, she slips up.

"Fine! Fine!" She reluctantly exclaimed before giving me a warm embrace.

"What's your plan now?" she asked.

"You're important to me—you and Amanda. I could be the one to figure out a way for Amanda's operation," she said making me face her.

"Oh, stop it! And do you really think I'd let you do that?!" I retorted. She laughed but eventually turned serious again.

"Don't do that. Amanda and I will get angry with you."

"What about that? Are you still going to continue with your plan? Aren't you afraid? What if the same thing happens again?"

"I'm more afraid of losing Amanda, Lily. You know she's my only family..."

"...I'll accept the old man's offer."

She exhaled heavily. "I told you that it would be better that way."

"Yes, he's offering a substantial amount. But, Lily, aren't you having second thoughts about that? He won't just pay for my body; he'll be paying for my virginity, for the child I will carry in my womb." My heart and soul—even just thinking about it makes my chest heavy.

"But we don't have any other choice. It's better for you to do that than resort to prostitution. You won't earn the amount that Amanda offered you for a night or with just one man." She's right. I don't want to gamble again at those clubs.

I watched my sleeping sister. Even in her sleep, she looks really pained due to her illness. I gently stroked her hair until her face calmed down and her sleep became peaceful.

Throughout the night, I carefully thought about my next move. I needed to be wise. Yes, they're offering a substantial amount, but my virginity and my body are also valuable. I'm not just a disposable woman.

Lily went home early to take a bath and get my clothes. She said she'll find me proper clothes so I'll look presentable when the elderly woman arrived.

I had an early lunch, and by noon, I was already waiting at the hospital entrance. She arrived at around one o'clock.

Her smile grew wider each time she saw me.

"Have you thought about my offer?" she asked with a smile. I forced myself to smile and respond.

"Yes, but I do have some conditions," I said. She nodded and held my hand.

"Let's not talk here."

She invited me to a decent restaurant near the hospital.

Just like yesterday, he ordered food for me again. I wasn't hungry, so I just tasted it. I plan to have it wrapped later for Amanda and Lily. They will surely be delighted when they taste this food. They're really delicious and expensive.

The old woman cleared her throat.

"Miss, I agree, but I have my conditions." I took out the paper from my bag.

I stayed up last night to write this. I thought about it carefully.

"First, I need to be paid before I will have s*x with him," I said, my voice becoming weak at the last three words.

The old woman nodded, seemingly without any complaints.

"Second, we need a proper place to stay. I'm just staying at my friend's house in the squatter area. I thought it would be better if I lived in a somewhat decent house while I was pregnant. Once I give birth, my sibling and I will also leave the house."

She listened attentively to me, so I continued again.

"Third, I would like to request that when we do that, the entire room should be dark. Where we can't see each other's appearance. And I would also like us to not know each other's names, identities, or even our faces."

My most recent statement shocked Manang Myrna. It's as if she couldn't believe it or found my condition impossible.

After a while, she nodded. "Alright, my dear. I will inform my employer of your conditions," she replied.

I fell silent, lost in thought and nervous, because her employer might not agree. What if he refuses and they look for another woman?

After paying, Manang said her goodbyes. Carrying the paper bag containing food, I walked back to the hospital.

I'm sitting here, lost in thought. Feeling nervous and scared about the possible outcome of everything. What if... I need to stay positive.

I waved to Amanda when I saw her sitting on her bed. Lily was feeding her rice porridge.

"I don't want to," she refuse the food.

"But you've only taken a few spoonfuls," my friend complained.

I placed the food I brought on the side of the table. The two of them looked at it.

"I brought food for you," I said with a smile as I took out the dishes one by one.

Their eyes lit up, and I could see the wonder and longing on their faces.

"Wow!"

"I want that, Iya," Amanda said like a child. I chuckled.

"I know you'll like this," I said. I divided the food for them.

They happily devoured the food. I'm feeding Amanda since her hands and arms are sore from the injections. Lily is also feeding me, even though I resist.

"I know you like this too," she said. The food is delicious. Amanda became happier and more enthusiastic while eating.

"So delicious!" she almost moaned in pleasure as she savored the food in her mouth.

I hope Manang's boss agrees, so your food will be delicious every day and I can finally earn money for my surgery.

When Amanda fell asleep, Lily and I discussed what happened. I told her the thing that was troubling my mind.

"Let's just pray," she invited me in the chapel inside the hospital. That's exactly what we did. I first asked for God's forgiveness. And I prayed that Manang would come back tomorrow.

Amanda's life depends on her. Our lives.

I gave Lily's number to Manang. Throughout the night, we waited for her call or message, but there was none.

I hope she comes back.

Early in the morning, Lily received a call from an unknown number.

Her eyes widened as she looked at me.

"Yes!" she said before ending the call.

"She said she's outside," she told me with her widening eyes. Amanda asked, but I hadn't been able to respond yet as I was in a hurry to leave the hospital.

"He agreed," Manang informed me. I hugged her in sheer joy and tears of gratitude welled up in my eyes.

"But we need to have you checked at the hospital first, dear. We need to make sure you're capable of carrying a child," she said.

So not everything is settled yet?

"When?" I asked. Time is running out, so I want all of this to be over soon. Every hour is precious. My sibling's life is at stake here.

"Right now. We're going to another hospital to have you checked up."

We rode in a luxurious vehicle to the hospital.

I underwent several laboratory tests, including blood and urine tests.

I saw on the paper that almost all the things written on the laboratory request were checked.

I'm not ignorant; I know what all the requested tests are for.

Included in the tests are HIV, STD, and many others. I know within myself that I'm clean because I'm still a virgin, but I'm just following what Manang wants.

The doctor said that the results is after three to seven days. I hope there won't be any problem.

The ultrasound was the last thing the doctor did to me. She said that my uterus is fine. Everything really depends on the other tests.

"We will meet again once the results of the test conducted on you come out. There's also a contract ready for us to sign once everything goes well," Manang said before she left.

The passing of days became so slow. I was very impatient while waiting for the time to change for a whole day.

I hope the results will speed up. I hope it won't take a week. Manang's boss has money anyway. Maybe she can expedite the hospital process.

And I hope there won't be any issues.

On the fourth day, Manang called. She picked me up outside. We went together to the hospital for the laboratory results.

The doctor who reviewed the results said that my body is healthy. They didn't find any problems.

They asked about the first and last day of my menstruation. They wrote it down on paper. They looked at the calendar and counted on their fingers before explaining to me when the best days are for intimacy to ensure pregnancy.

My face turned warm as I listened to their explanations. At the age of eighteen, I'm here in front of an OB-GYN, listening to their advice on how to get pregnant.

There are also questions in my mind that I haven't listened to yet.

What if after one night I don't get pregnant? Will we do it again?

Manang brought me to the restaurant again. She brought out the contract. She had me read it before I signed. It said they would give the full payment on the day stated in the agreement, a few hours before I meet the boss.

The conditions I mentioned are also written here.

Some consequences are also stated if I do something contrary to the agreement. If I don't follow the agreement, I will be imprisoned. If I kidnap the child, I will also be imprisoned.

His name is written in the contract. Surrogate mother is also stated, not my name. My hands are trembling as I sign the contract.

"Wait for my call," Manang said. "Be prepared."

How do I prepare?

"I will give you the money before I take you to him," she said.

Even though what I'm about to do isn't good, it will still bring about something positive. Right now, I'm already happy for my sister. I don't want to dwell on the possible consequences of the decision I've made.

I tightly embraced my sister out of joy. They complained about being squeezed, so I quickly let go of them.

She's asking me why I'm happy, but for now, I can't tell her the reason. I don't have the money yet. I don't want to give her false hope for now.