3

** The next day **

Nora's pov…

“Bella, can you hurry up? I can't be waiting for you all day. We are only going to the mall, not some fashion show” I gr umped. 

I know Bella takes her time to dress up, but it was getting too much these days. She would spend a lot of time in the bathroom, then before the mirror, then in the wardrobe. 

Today is just worse because she had been there all morning! And we were only going to the mall.

“I'm almost done” she yelled from her room and I scoffed, 

“Almost done since twenty minutes ago,” I argued, and she laughed. 

Less than five minutes later, she stepped out wearing black trousers, and a blue crop top, her hair was tied in a ponytail and her face on makeup. I don't know how she does it that she could make herself so beautiful by herself. 

I won't dare take so long in dressing my face, I'll only ruin it more. I don't know what to do with the mascara or which color of lipstick to use. It's the more reason I stay natural with the excuse of natural being bae

“Fine, let's go. You shout too much” I rolled my eyes at her before walking out of the house with her behind me.

Soon, we were at the shopping mall. We decided to get some shoes this time. I had enough clothes, some I haven't even worn since I bought them. 

When we got there, we began to survey the area, looking at the shelf filled with different designs of shoes. 

Whichever we pointed out, the sales assistant would bring it down for us. We literally tried all on as we picked to see how good-looking they were. 

“Nora, can we rest a little? I feel weak already. I'm tired. I need to rest” Bella said as she held on to one of the shelves and I frowned.

“We haven't spent up to two hours babe, what's making you tired? It's not even as stressful as clothes” I reminded her, and she nodded to my words. 

Whenever we are shopping for clothes, Bella and I spend up to five hours just for clothes. It's the best feeling ever, shopping with my best friend.

“Let's just rest a little,” she said to me as I rolled my eyes before turning to the lady beside us, 

“Can you get us a bottle of water?” 

The moment the sale attendant left, Bella fell to the ground 

“Bella!” I screamed.

****

The doctor came out of the room, 

“Family?” He asked and I nodded. 

“She's a month pregnant,” the doctor said, and I blinked at him 

“What?” I asked again and he repeated the same thing.

“Wow,” I exclaimed. I didn't know how I should feel. Maybe I'll know after breaking the news to Bella. 

“Is she awake?” I asked the doctor, who nodded, saying I could go and see her. 

“Nora” I turned to see Rufus walking towards me in a hurry. I rushed to close the gap between us and hugged him. 

He hugged me tightly before kissing my head. 

“She's pregnant, Rufus. The doctor said Bella is pregnant”. 

“Wow!” Rufus exclaimed and I giggled. “That's the same thing I said” I smiled at him. 

“Did she tell you who is responsible?” He asked and I shook my head.

“Not yet. The doctor just informed me that she is awake already, so I'm going in now. Let's go together. I think this is the reason she fainted on her birthday” I said and Rufus nodded. 

“Let's go” 

We got to Bella to see her in a daze, she turned to look at us when she heard the door closed 

“Nora” she breathed out 

“Bella” I pulled her into a hug, and she held me tightly. 

“How are you feeling?” I asked her and she sighed. 

“I feel fine” she replied with a small smile. “Sorry I put you through the stress” she added while I rolled my eyes at her. 

“I'm just glad you're okay. The doctor said you're pregnant” I informed her and she nodded.

“He told me” She smiled and my smile widened. At least, her smile wasn't a bitter one, or she didn't cry about it.

“So…. There's a man” I teased and she chuckled.

“Actually, there is….” She replied with a wide grin. 

My eyes twinkled as I fixed my gaze on her, 

“Really? I can't believe you didn't tell me. Bella, how can you be this secretive?” 

“You said there are many fishes in the river. I wanted to try them all first before settling down” She giggled.

“You will never change” I smiled before sitting on the bed. 

“Can I know who it is then?” I asked her, but she shook her head. 

“Not yet. I'll rather bring him to you than just tell you his name. He is not around now though” she replied, making me smile.

I turned to see Rufus, and he smiled when I did.

“Did you hear that?” I asked Rufus, “She has someone and she's pregnant. My hard work paid off”. 

I've been trying to get her to settle down with a man already and finally, she was taking that bold step. 

We remained in the hospital for a while before the doctor said she could be discharged. We later left back home, where I took her to her room while Rufus had to leave for something urgent, saying he had rushed to my side because I had called for him.

“Nora, thank you for taking care of me” 

“Why should you thank me? Have you forgotten that you have been a big help to me too? You are my best friend, Bella, I'll always be available when you call and even when you don't” and she chuckled. 

Really, I can't wait to see that man who had made my friend give herself to him to the extent she didn't bother to use protection, so she doesn't get pregnant. 

“Is the man handsome?” I asked her with a little chuckle. I was desperate to see him alright. 

“Of course. I won't go for someone any less” She giggled, and I joined her.

TBC