The Surrogate (Lesbian)

Chapter 17

The food is superb.

Sobrang sarap magluto ni Rare that even my parents in law loves it. The meat instantly melts in my mouth like marshmallow, in flavoring napakasolid. Para kaming kumain sa fine dining restaurant.

Hindi ko talaga alam kung paano ito naluto ni Rare.

"Can you please pass the mechado for me." Nakangiting sabi ni Papa kay Forest.

Agad naman itong inabot ni Forest.

"Like wow, Scarlett, you did great with cooking as always." Pagpuri ni Mama.

"Mm it's not me." Lumunok pa ako bago tumingin kay Rare na napakatahimik at tila napakalalim ng iniisip. "Rare does."

At lahat nga sila napatingin din kay Rare.

"Paano mo naluto ng ganito kalambot at sarap ang mechado Rare?" Since my mother in law is a former cook sa London, where she met Forest's father. "Like butter."

"I marinated the beef with tea." Sagot naman ni Rare. Very casual, walang yabang.

"With tea? Why?"

Ngumiti si Rare kay Mama. "Tea contains tannins, a natural tenderiser. Pwede din ang coffee, cola even beer."

"I know they can add flavors, pero yung pangpalambot ay bago sakin." Very amazed na sabi ni Mama. "New knowledge for me."

"Or maybe Rare can teach you——"

Pero naputol ang sasabihin pa sana ni Papa when Forest cut him off. "No Pa." He's a bit irritated then look at his parents straight and all the seriousness of the world. "That's something I want to talk about with all of you."

"Must be really important for this dinner." Claire interjected habang pinaiikot ikot ang wine glass na hawak nya.

"Yes, it is." Hinawakan ni Forest kamay ko na nakapatong sa ibabaw ng lamesa. Rare eyeing it and i quickly retracted from Forest. "About Rare." He gives Rare a side eyes. "She will live here——"

"And why?" Curious na tanong ni Claire. "I don't even understand why she's here in the first place.."

"Claire!"  Pagsaway ni Mama sa anak nya. "Watch your language!"

"I'm really sorry Rare Iha." Paumanhin ni Papa.

But Rare is not showing anything —not even a slightest emotions. "No offense taken."

Claire just shrugs her shoulder.

I'm kind of upset with Claire, how dare she to treat someone like that. Hindi ganyan ang pagkakilala ko sa kanya.

"Did you know her?" I can't stop asking dahil napansin ko din na parang may tension between them. "Did you know Rare?"

Claire and I look at each other, without a blink. I suddenly feel uncomfortable sa mga tingin nya, na parang may alam sya na hindi ko alam.

After few minutes, she smiles at me——a forced one. "I don't know her." 

But i know that facial expressions, that body movement.

I know Claire is lying.

Why she has to lie though?

"Rare is our Surrogate Mother." Forest announced.

"Surrogate?" Hindi makapaniwala si Papa muntik pa syang mabulunan.

Tumango si Forest. "We decided to have a surrogacy para magkababy na kami Scarlett. My wife is stressed and busy at work, and so am i. Surrogacy is our option para magkaroon na kami ng anak."