The silence in the room weighed heavily on Jungkook, almost like a physical presence that wrapped around him, stifling and suffocating. As he sat, the absence of sound became overpowering, each tick of the clock magnified in the still air. It felt as though the walls were closing in, the space around him tightening, making it hard for him to breathe. Restlessly, Jungkook shifted in his seat, trying to dispel the discomfort that clung to him like a second skin.
After what seems like eternity, the doctor's words cut through the air like thunder. "But don't worry. We have a solution for everything." He said with a warm smile. Jungkook looked up from his lap to the doctor's comforting smile.
"Solution?" he asked. "Yes. That is why we are here. That is what we meant by Care. Don't worry we are with you in every step of your dreams." he said with the same reassurance smile. Jungkook titled his head in confusion. "You can opt for other options." he said. Jungkook looked at the doctor again, not understanding what the doctor was saying. "We can go with Surrogacy." The doctor said. Jungkook felt like each syllable of the word piercing through his chest.
"Jungkook, if I stay a little longer here, you will find it difficult to control me. Are you coming or not?" Taehyung asked, his tone strained. "Please, Mr. Taehyung, listen to us. This is not how you think," the doctor tried to reassure him, maintaining calm in the heated moment.
"Surrogate mothers are impregnated through the use of IVF. You won't have any physical contact with the person. Above all, there will be a legal contract between the intended parents and their carrier before medical treatment begins." the doctor explained.
"Does that mean I... I won't be able to carry a child forever?" Jungkook's voice trembled slightly as he sought clarity on his own situation. The doctor nodded, his expression sympathetic yet firm. "But," Jungkook began, only to be immediately cut off by the doctor. "Don't you think it's a better option than adoption? The baby will get the genetics of both parents if you go with gestational surrogacy," the doctor explained earnestly.
"The procedure is really simple yet complicated. I will explain it. An embryo will be created using your partner's sperm and your eggs, and later it will be transferred to the surrogate, meaning the child will be genetically unrelated to the surrogate. The child born will be completely yours. And look, Jungkook," the doctor continued, addressing him directly with a pointed sincerity, "The doctors at other hospitals will tell you that everything is okay and that you can carry a child at some point in the future. But here, in Care, we are not sugarcoating anything. We tell the facts and give you the best solution, and the rest is up to you."
Jungkook turned to look at Taehyung, whose expression was one of concern mixed with frustration, boring holes into the doctor's head with his gaze.
"Don't you want to hold your own baby? Don't you wish to take care of them since the birth? How long are you going to stick to that hope of 'Someday'? Think about it thoroughly. And it's my guarantee that this is a hundred percent safe and sound," the doctor concluded, offering a guarantee meant to reassure but also to prompt a decision.
"And Taehyung," he added, acknowledging his frustration, "I can understand your outburst, which is why I haven't called the police yet. Mm. Take time and think about it. It's nothing of a big deal. Just think," the doctor finished, giving them space to consider their options amidst the emotional turmoil.
Jungkook's voice wavered as he spoke, his uncertainty palpable in the air. "I... I don't know. I need time to think," he admitted, his gaze shifting nervously between his trembling hands and the earnest face of the doctor before him.
But before he could gather his thoughts, Taehyung's firm voice cut through the silence. "There is nothing to think about. It's a no. Come," he insisted, reaching out to grasp Jungkook's hand with a determined gentleness. With a gentle tug, Taehyung urged Jungkook to his feet. With one last hesitant glance at the doctor, Jungkook allowed himself to be led away by Taehyung, their steps echoing in the quiet hallway of the hospital as they ventured into the unknown together.
As soon as the two figures disappeared from view, the nurse hesitantly approached the doctor, her voice barely above a whisper. "Doctor... He... He seems to be fine and healthy. His condition is PCOD. That doesn't mean he can't be pregnant." she murmured, her concern evident in the furrow of her brow.
But, the doctor's lips curled into a chilling smile, sending a shiver down the nurse's spine. "I did not establish this hospital to provide sympathy. This is business," he declared, his tone devoid of any remorse. "This is how I built and expanded the hospital to reach new heights within three years." The nurse shifted uncomfortably, her eyes darting around the room. "But..."
"Didn't you catch the desperation and impatience in his eyes? And those are our business. People like Jungkook are our prawns" The doctor's smile widened, his gaze cold and calculating. "I caught him the last time, but for my bad luck, he got pregnant," he remarked casually, as if discussing the weather. "But the doctor," the nurse started, her voice trembling with apprehension.
"Go and prepare the procedures and documents," the doctor interrupted, his tone final. "They will come back. He will bring both of them back here, in front of me." His words hung in the air like a sinister promise, sending a chill down the nurse's spine. "And do not forget to increase the fees by 25% and offer a 10% discount in the name of 'loyal and respected customers'," he added, his voice dripping with greed as he outlined his ruthless plans. With a sinking feeling in her chest, the nurse nodded silently and hurried off to carry out his orders, her mind clouded with a sense of dread at what lay ahead.
Whereas in the parking lot, "Tae." Jungkook’s hand lingered in the air for a moment before he slowly withdrew it, a mixture of confusion and hurt flickering across his face. "No. Jungkook. Don't try to persuade me. This is not happening." Taehyung said it as a final word.
"Don't we have kids at home? Ah? We have Mia, Jae, Soo and Minkoo. Why do we need more? Jungkook, see, I am happy if you are pregnant and carry our pup. But that doesn't mean, I am only happy if you gave birth or have a child of our own. How many times do I need to tell you? I love you without conditions, and it has nothing to do with children or anything else. You.. You are the sole reason that keeps me sane. Jungkook it's you.. You.. You.." Taehyung almost shouted in frustration and slammed the steering. Jungkook lowered his gaze and wiped his eyes.
"I have been saying this ever since our wedding day. When all the pointless, stupid things are there, why is this not getting inside your boba head? Ah?" Taehyung shouted as his frustration had reached its peak.
"Baby.. Baby.. Baby.. Ain't Minkoo calling you mamma? Ain't Jae calling you mamma? I don't see you showing any favouritism to anyone. Then why? If you can't get pregnant, that's fine, totally fine. Anyways, I didn't marry you to impregnate you. I married you to live with you. It is the end of the discussion." Taehyung said, turning his face to the other side as he gripped the steering.
"Still. Don't.. Don't you think I desire to carry your own blood in my hands?" Jungkook's voice was barely above a whisper, laden with a deep, unspoken longing. "If my blood is what you wanted I will give it to you." Taehyung replied, side glancing at his pretty husband. "Ah. Tae. Not blood. Didn't you think I.. I will have the desire to carry our own child in my hands?" Jungkook asked in a whining voice. "I don't know. The desire I am having is to drink milk from your b..bies." Taehyung said only to receive a slap on his bicep.
"Jungkook. I already detest that head of coconut, and we do not have to decide right away. Let us visit a different physician. After that, we will talk to the family." Taehyung's voice carried a mix of frustration and caution as he responded to Jungkook, aiming to soothe the tension of the moment. "City hospital?" Jungkook asked. Taehyung nodded in affirmation as he started the engine, signaling the beginning of their journey towards a new consultation and, hopefully, clearer answers.
As they drove in silence, the air between them thick with unspoken thoughts and finally Jungkook's question broke the silence between them. "Is she your ex?" Taehyung chapped his lips and cast a side glance at Jungkook.
"That doctor in City Hospital?" Jungkook pressed further for clarification. Taehyung as a response rolled his eyes as he focused back on the road. "If that coconut head was your ex, then yes, she was my ex," Taehyung finally admitted, his words tinged with a hint of sarcasm. This time Jungkook rolled his eyes as he fixed his gaze out of the window.
"The problem is with your womb. Who is he to tell that? I haven't found any problems since the last 3 years? I visit it every once a week. I haven't come across anything. How can he be more sure than me?" Taehyung scoffed, rubbing his chin. Jungkook, caught off guard by his husband's somewhat flippant response during their serious discussion, couldn't hide his disbelief. "Ah. Stop.. Stop the car. I will come by taxi." he said, his voice a blend of astonishment and mild annoyance.
Taehyung nodded in understanding as he pointed ahead. "Okay. I will stop there. Here you won't find any taxi," he replied. However, Jungkook's response was tinged with frustration, his voice tinged with disappointment. "Seriously, Tae? I am trying to find ten minutes to have a good cry. And here you are, distracting me," he expressed, shaking his head in exasperation.
"Oh, okay. Mm.. Could you please tell me why you are going to cry?" Taehyung asked in a pleading yet sassy tone. "Didn't you hear the doctor?" Jungkook asked, titling his head to see Taehyung's side profile. "Ah. Do not cry over that doctor's words, Jungkook, I am telling you. If he says your husband's p...n is not working, you should cry. But not for this." Taehyung winced as Jungkook bit his bicep, the unexpected pain causing him to hiss in discomfort. "I am not coming with you. Stop.. Stop the car. Ahhhhhhh. You are frustrating me more," Jungkook protested vehemently, his frustration evident in both his words and actions. He kicked his leg against the dashboard and twisted his body away from Taehyung, a physical manifestation of his emotional turmoil and desire to distance himself from the situation. However, Taehyung chuckled looking at his husband.
As the car halted in front of a modern glass building, and Jungkook's eyes went from the massive building in front of him to his husband, who was neatly combing his hair, a gesture that was out of the ordinary considering their previous heated exchange.
"Are you that excited to meet your ex?" Jungkook's question, tinged with a hint of sarcasm, broke the silence as he eyed Taehyung skeptically. "Yes. Didn't you see her grey hair?" he replied with a wink, trying to inject some humor into the situation as he got out of the car. Despite his efforts, Jungkook could only scoff as he followed his husband. "She might be mom's age." Jungkook muttered. "Cool. I am into the older ones." Taehyung chuckled and pulled Jungkook towards him as he placed his hand on Jungkook's waist as they made their way towards the hospital.
..to be continued..