At the hospital, Lara was offered different pictures of men, whose sperm she would prefer to have her baby made of. She glanced at it and settled for the one from a model. She likes the looks and handsomeness of the man. It would be great if her son had such looks.
When she was ready, Dr JJ came over to the insemination room and apologised "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting, the CEO of the hospital just finished, we have to save his vial of sperm until he brings his surrogate candidate" she explained briefly.
Lara smiled. So it happens that even the wealthy ones also use an insemination to get their women pregnant. That's fine, she hopes her procedure gets successful.
As she laid on the couch, her legs apart, the sperm was carefully transferred into her. She watched as the tadpole-like cell swam swiftly towards her egg.
"The procedure is successful, Lara. You should check back in ten days, for a checkup and see if it was successful" Dr JJ instructed.
She also told her to rest a while before leaving. Meanwhile, she should give attention to her meals and ensure she avoids foods that would halt her chances of being pregnant this time.
As Lara stepped out of the hospital, towards her car, she saw her ex-husband also stepping out of the obstetrics department, holding hands with Tolu.
Her baby bump was slightly bigger, Lara wondered if within two weeks that she last saw them, her bump was already protruding. Anyways, that isn't her concern anymore.
She looks forward to getting positive for pregnancy in ten days. Only then, would she be happy and be sure that she's not a barren woman like she was labeled.
"Hi Lara" Tolu called, wanting Lara to see how happy she and Mike were. She wants her to know that her ex-husband could leave his busy schedule and accompany her to see the doctor.
"Hi" Lara replied, ignoring them to get to her car but Tolu asked, walking closer and talking aloud "Have you come to the hospital to find answers to your infertility issue?
You aren't going to find answers because I feel it's a curse. You've been jinxed and your womb would never be able to carry a baby, right honey" Tolu declared, turning to get an affirmation from Mike.
"Who knows?" Mike replied, giving a shrug. Her chances of getting pregnant are slim or never. The extent to which her uterus has been damaged, she might never become a mother.
"Oh no dear friend, there are other reasons for visiting the hospital, like checking in the obstetrics department how the baby's heart beats and having an ultrasound right?" Lara declared and got into her car. Why on earth wouldn't they just go away and avoid her as much as she is staying away from them?
Tolu sneered and hissed between gritted teeth. She was unhappy that Lara isn't looking haggard like she thought. Who is supporting her financially without Mike's help?
"Don't get your excitement twisted because of Lara. Let's get in honey, we're already behind schedule" Mike urged, crossing his arms around her waist.
"Yeah, sure" Tolu grumbled but still glanced behind her to see Lara driving out of the hospital premises. Why isn't she looking depressed and sad, it's barely two weeks after she got divorced.
As soon as Lara drove out of the hospital, she didn't let Tolu's words bother her at all. She got home and met her granny, the old woman had blended fresh fruits from the fruits she collected from her garden.
Lara poured herself a glass of chilled blended fruits and gulped it down. This is just what she wanted.
Lara decided that she'll get a job. She has to look after herself, pay her bills and not bother her grandma. Besides, she would be having her baby in a couple of months if the procedure eventually tested positive.
That night, she submitted several applications to different companies and waited for the best. Two days later, she got an invitation to come for an interview in one of the most reputable fashion homes in Michigan as a designer.
Lara was excited. Finally she's going to be hired if she comes out successful in the interview. She's going to have a job and start a life from there.
The next morning, she got dressed and went to the company. She was dressed in her best but plain gown. It appeared cheap but it's a gift Mike had given her on their second wedding anniversary, two months before she discovered he was a man with two faces.
As she sat in the waiting room, she saw several other applicants waiting. Some were through and left while others waited. She majored in designing in university and over time, she'd been practicing little crafts at home.
But she has no work experience except when she was an intern. She'd graduated over three years ago but Mike wouldn't let her work or apply for a job. He wouldn't even allow her to sell her attics and those she stayed back home to practice.
She hopes she doesn't get disqualified and become unsuccessful in the interview. She needs this job desperately, to take care of herself and prepare for motherhood.
"Next, Lara Edmund" the intercom announced. Lara stood up, her hands sweaty and she took a deep breath. Her success was going to be determined in the room, she was stepping in, she braced up and walked through the door.
When she stepped in, she was ushered to a seat. But she was feeling sweaty in an unusual way. The room was heavily air conditioned but yet, she was feeling uncomfortable.
She swallowed hard. It appeared an eye was gazing at her piercingly and she didn't know whose eyes it was among the people seated.
"Welcome Miss Lara Edmund" One of the men seated said, seeing how fidgeting and sweaty she was. This is a common fright exhibited by many applicants when they are invited for an interview and oftentimes, it's not their true strength of ability.
"Thank you sir" Lara replied, raising her head to glance at the board of interviewers when her sight fell on the man she'd crossed a week ago at the hospital…