BABY (minsung)

1

While reviewing potential candidates since morning, Jisung heard a knock on the door. Tiredly stretching in his seat, he called out "Come in" upon hearing a small voice. When he saw Felix peeking in, he grinned widely, groaned aloud, and rested his head on the table. Felix laughed at his friend's state and quickly entered, sitting on the chair next to his desk. Both of them had been processing information about families who would carry their babies since 7 am, trying to select suitable ones. Although Felix had reached a decision, Jisung, who had recently given birth, was lagging behind. Despite his exhaustion, Felix announced loudly, "I have chosen the new family."

Upon hearing his friend's words, Jisung lifted his head from the table and spoke in an angry and upset voice, "I thought we were going to handle this together. I wanted to go through our pregnancy together." Although he was excited because he had chosen the family, Felix felt guilty for forgetting his promise to his friend. Seeing Jisung react so harshly, he regretted it and said, "I- I'm sorry but there's nothing we can do now. Next time, I'll remember, I promise."

As soon as fDelix finished speaking, Jisung stood up and walked towards the large glass wall. His body had been stiff from sitting for hours. Felix walked up to him and rested his head on his friend's shoulder. Both of them were tired of doing this job, but they had no other choice. Being poor and without a family in this cruel world was difficult. They had to feed themselves. Although what they were doing could be considered selling their bodies, they were doing it in a reliable hospital rather than in bars or clubs, avoiding dangerous jobs.

Since they met at the orphanage - where they had known each other since the moment they were born - they had joined hands and protected each other. Due to their feminine bodies and fertility, they had always been beaten and attempted to be used. Although most people had the ability to reproduce, very few were able to carry babies to term due to genetic changes.

In this era where women only had relationships with women and men only with men, being able to reproduce and carry a baby was a very special and equally difficult situation. If a person's financial situation was bad and they didn't have the ability to carry a baby, they would kidnap people whom they believed could carry a baby, forcing them to have the baby, and then abandon them in the street. That's why every year, people who were identified to be able to carry a baby through special tests worldwide were protected by the government according to their wishes, and babies were provided to families through special permissions and medical procedures.

After learning that they were capable of carrying babies following the terrible experiences they had at the orphanage, Jisung and Felix immediately reported this to the government. As a result, they were placed under state protection and took the big step that would change their lives completely. Two years after leaving the orphanage at the age of 17 and being placed in medical centers run by the government, they became pregnant for the first time and have been continuing this work ever since.

However, there were rules that they had to strictly follow while continuing this job. Although they sometimes thought about giving up, the money they earned and the security they had kept them tied to their work. Besides, what else could they do if they quit? They had not gone to school, they had no family, and the money they had saved would eventually run out. Therefore, they had to work a little harder and wait until their fertility ended. When this happened, they would still receive their salary and live a comfortable life.

They both imagined the day when their fertility would end, unaware of each other's thoughts, in front of the window and they had regained hope. Although Felix still felt a little guilty, there was nothing he could do, he would be implanted in the uterus tomorrow and would give birth within the next 5 months. Jisung knew that he had to hold on tight, if he could find him within these two days, maybe he could catch up with his friend and they could spend at least some time of their pregnancies together. He had put his hand on Felix's shoulder and stroked his hair. Felix, who smiled at this gesture, lifted his head and kissed Jisung's cheek, saying he was going to his room and leaving. With his departure, Jisung sat back at his desk and continued to examine the documents, but after a while, it became impossible to keep his eyes open. He leaned his head on the table and closed them for a little nap.

Hi, this is my first translation book. With the insistence of a few of my friends, I have decided to translate my Turkish book, which has the same name, into English. Since English is not my first language, there will certainly be mistakes. Please excuse me for that. I hope you enjoy this story and continue reading.

Thank you for reading.

-Mel♥