Falling in Love with the Surrogate

Chapter 5: Getting Screened

WHILE waiting for our food to arrive, Ram asked a few more questions about me, including whether I went to school or not. He also asked about my family, including how many siblings I have. I told him that I plan to continue my studies with the excess money I will be earning. He seemed pleased. When he asked why I took up accountancy, I told him my love for math and numbers since I was young. He groaned as he said how much he hated math. We both laughed after that. There was a lull in the conversation and I decided to ask him about himself.

Denise: “Uhm, if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?”

Ram: “I’m 30. I know I look older. Too much stress does that to you.”

Denise: “No, you don’t look old at all. You actually look good and young for your age.”

Ram: “You think so? Thanks.”

I suddenly got embarrassed as I realized what I just said. Did I just compliment his looks? I must admit, in the short time I’ve met and gotten to know him, I might have a bit of a crush on him. However, it wasn’t just his looks that attracted me to him. He seemed like a very nice and kind-hearted man. His wife is really lucky to have him. I smiled as I tried to switch the conversation to something else.

Denise: “How long have you been married?”

Ram: “Kelly and I have been together for eight years.”

Denise: “Wow, that's a pretty long time. She must be really pretty.”

Ram: “Yes, she is. I remember the first time I saw her, I got attracted to her right away.”

I felt a sudden pang of jealousy hearing how Ram feels about his wife. I reminded myself that I have no right to be jealous. 

I can only imagine how good-looking Ram's wife must be. If I thought Erica was pretty, Kelly must be gorgeous. Good-looking people tend to be attracted to each other. Although I would like to think that Ram looks beyond the physical attributes.

When our food arrived, we started eating right away. Ram ordered me a pasta dish, and some chicken. I almost chuckled as I remembered comparing myself to a roasted chicken earlier. I thought I wasn't hungry because of all the pastries I ate at the pantry earlier, but I was wrong. As soon as I saw the food in front of me, I had to control myself from attacking the plate. I didn't want to embarrass Ram.

Ram ordered a seafood platter for himself. It looked so good. Ram must have noticed me eyeing his food, so he put some shrimp and clamshells on a small plate, and gave them to me so I can taste it. I suddenly felt embarrassed and wondered how much I was eyeing his food.

Denise: “Uhm, you don’t have to do that.”

Ram: “I want you to try them. There’s too much servings anyway, I might not be able to finish them.”

I doubt if that’s true, though. I'm sure he was just being nice and thoughtful. He should stop being too nice to me soon, I don’t want to crush on him even more.

As I tasted the shrimp, I couldn’t stop a soft moan from coming out of my mouth. It tasted so good. I noticed Ram suddenly stiffen, then he took a sip of water from his glass. I apologized as I noticed what just happened. Did my moan affect him?

Denise: “Sorry. I have never tasted anything this good.”

Ram: “I’m glad you enjoy it. You should keep your moans down, though. It might sound like you are enjoying something more than just the food.”

Did Ram just make a s****l innuendo? I might be a virgin but I’m not totally innocent. Wendy has been telling me about her experiences with men, and she’s pretty graphic and detailed when describing them, so I know that women usually moan when they enjoy having s*x.

I glanced at Ram and I saw him looking at me differently. I gave him my most innocent smile, and his gaze turned soft as he smiled as well before resuming eating. I did the same and made sure to not make any more sounds despite of how org*smically delicious the dishes in front of me (and the person beside me) are. Yes, I did just refer to Ram as a delicious dish. I am still a woman and I appreciate good-looking men. So sue me.

Ram asked if I wanted dessert and coffee. I told him I’m not much of a coffee drinker but I won’t say no to dessert. He ordered two slices of cheesecake which I enjoyed tremendously. I noticed Ram watching me again and I got a little conscious with how he's looking at me.

Denise: “Uhm, why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?”

Ram: “I like watching you eat. My wife is always on a diet. I can’t even get her to eat a full meal. I don't like wasting food, which she usually does.”

Denise: “I don’t get the chance to eat food this good, so I always appreciate it when I do.”

Ram just smiled but he seemed to look at me with a little pity in his eyes. I’ve never been ashamed of how poor we are, as long as we still live honorable lives. However, I don’t really want Ram to pity me and I want him to regard me differently.

Once we were done eating, he paid for everything and even ordered a whole cheesecake to go. He must have really liked it too, and wants his wife to enjoy it as well. She's a very lucky girl.

Before leaving the restaurant, he asked me if I had to pee. I giggled and hit him on the arm as I realized he must be making a joke. When I felt his hard muscles, I felt conscious and I did feel the need to pee. I let go of his arm but not after running my hand through his biceps. He smiled and didn’t flinch at my touch. He seemed to enjoy my touch as well.

When I got to the restroom, I scolded myself . Why am I being flirty towards a married man?

Once we'd left the restaurant, we got back to his car as he drove once more. When we got to the hospital, we waited at the reception area and Ram made a call. After a few minutes, we were asked by a nurse to come with her and led us to the doctor's office. Once we have been introduced to each other, the doctor had me go through a series of laboratory and physical exams. They took my blood and had me submit a urine sample as well. They also did a pelvic ultrasound. They seem to already be prepared and didn’t need any instructions from Ram on what exams they need to run. I wonder how many 'applicants' Ram had gone through the medical exam before.

After a few hours, Ram accompanied me to another doctor’s office. This time, he introduced me to a psychiatrist, Dr. Eva Guzman, who will evaluate if I was mentally prepared for the surrogacy. After Ram left me in her office, she had me sit on a comfortable single sofa, while she did the same right across me.

Dr. Guzman: “Hi Denise. How are you feeling?”

Denise: “Uhm, I'm a little shaken. I’ve never had my body prodded that much.”

Dr. Guzman: “It’s normal procedure. We just need to make sure your womb is healthy enough for the implantation.”

Denise: “I understand.”

Dr. Guzman then asked me a few personal questions. I was hesitant to answer at first, but she assured me that anything I tell her will stay between us. She can’t tell anyone, including Ram the details of what we will be talking about. The only thing she can tell him is whether I’m mentally and emotionally prepared for the surrogacy.

She made me feel comfortable, and I’ve told her things I’ve never even told anyone before. She commended me on how strong I seem to be, and she mirrored Ram’s admiration for my love for my family. We must have talked for more than an hour, and I felt very relieved right after. Now I understand why some people choose to see a shrink regularly. It actually helps to have someone to talk to and vent out their feelings every once in a while.

Once we're done, she asked me to wait outside her office as she talked to Ram right after. I’m getting a little anxious imagining what they are talking about. I tried to remember if there was anything I shared with her that I would be embarrassed about. There were a lot. I just wish that Dr. Guzman would keep her word and now let Ram be privy to our conversation.

When Ram got out of the doctor’s office, I got up. They hugged each other as they said goodbye. I waved at the doctor and thanked her for her time. Ram started talking as we walked out of the hospital.

Ram: “Eva was my childhood friend. I’m a godfather to one of her sons.”

This explains why they seemed close. I was wondering why they hugged while he only shook hands with the other doctor who administered my medical tests. My mind must be really dirty as I started imagining that he might be having an affair with her. I don't know why I kept imagining Ram having an affair with the women he knows. Was I hoping he'll be open to having an affair because of my attraction to him?

I decided to ask him questions to stop myself from thinking more inappropriate thoughts.

Denise: “Are there any more tests that we need to do?”

Ram: “No, we’re actually done with the tests. For now, we'll just wait for the results. Let’s have some dinner before I drive you home.”

Denise: “You don’t have to do that. I can go home from here. I don’t want to take any more of your time than I have.”

Ram: “Nonsense. I’m the one who owes you. It’s only natural that I treat the possible birth mother of my child well.”

I giggled a little. The only thing I heard was ‘mother of my child’ and that’s enough to send me into another blushing frenzy.

As we walked towards his car, he told me about Eva and their childhood. They did seem like very good friends. When we got in the car, I took it as an opportunity to ask some questions.

Denise: "I hope you don't mind me asking. How many applicants have you screened?"

Ram: "None."

Denise: "What do you mean?"

Ram: "You're the first one I found acceptable. There have been a lot of applicants. Did you know that there are women who are making a living as a surrogate?"

Denise: "What? How does that work?"

Ram: "They offer their wombs to carry babies to full term for a fee. When they've given birth, they'll do it again after some time."

Denise: .....

Ram: "I wasn't very strict about being a virgin and not having gotten pregnant before requirement, but meeting these women who seem to make a career out of surrogacy kind of scared me. I was worried my baby might get all kinds of sickness in their womb."

Denise: "I guess sometimes, people run out of options that that's all they can do to make money."

Ram: "I agree. I'm not judging them. I just want to be careful. I don't want to lower the risk of having a healthy baby."

I just smiled as Ram started the engine and drove towards our dinner destination. I'm not really hungry yet, but if it means spending a few more hours with him, I wouldn't mind having dinner with him.