decoding the boys ✔️

63 - pride

The social media platforms were on fire as soon as July rolled in. Zoey Chen had given birth to a healthy baby girl whom she named, Zel Ashley. She was named after Gian's second name, Asher. The baby was cute. Lahat kami bumisita sa hospital and I'm telling you, I'd never seen Gian like this before.

Kahit naman noon alam kong mahilig na siya sa babies. But seeing his delighted, joyful face while he was looking at baby Ashley gave me this hope that maybe-just maybe-there's a good future waiting for the three of them.

Nakakatuwa. Even though the baby wasn't his, he looked the part of a very proud dad and maybe he really was. He stayed with Zoey for nine months. If that wasn't enough to qualify him for the role, I didn't know what would.

For a few days or so, there was confusion kung anong surname ang ibibigay kay Ashley. The Chens were reluctant to give her our surname. Syempre, nahihiya sila kina Tito Nicollo, but in the end, they gave in. Tita Geanna was willing to give it a shot and I think Tito saw how drastic Gian changed in the past few months kaya pumayag din siya.

It took me days and weeks before I completely stopped mooning and gushing over my niece and what was even better? My cousins were already doting on her, lalo na si Kuya Nick. Ang cute cute nila tingnan lalo na kapag pinag-aagawan nila si Ashley.

So yeah. There. Meet our new family member.

Welcome to the world, Zeline Ashley De Villa.

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Two months after that, school life kicked in and became hectic. Buti na lang I wasn't part of any councils this year kaya sa acads at dance troupe lang nakatuon ang atensyon ko. Speaking of the troupe, I had to go to Intramuros later to check the venue. We were invited to perform kasi for a college event kaya kailangan kong puntahan ang school para tingnan ang magiging laki ng stage at para kausapin na rin ang mga contacts namin doon.

Around two in the afternoon, right in the middle of my Psychological Testing class, a text message lit up my phone screen, distracting me. I tore my eyes off my partner for the activity and fished out my phone. Slide, unlock.

Angelo Castillo:

Hey, wanna hang out?

A grin instantly burst onto my face. Wala bang pasok ang kumag na 'to? He's always up and about, always ready to go and jump to adventures.

Me:

Can't. I'll go to PLM later :p

Angelo Castillo:

Intra? Why?

Me:

Sasayaw kami for an event. I need to check the stage.

Angelo Castillo:

Can I tag along? I'll drive you there.

I thought about it. That would be more convenient, I guess, than taking a cab or calling our driver. Lhyle had a late class today so I couldn't ask him to accompany me and 'di ko naman kabisado schedule nina Kuya sa ngayon.

Me:

Mamaya pa dismissal ko. 3 pa.

Angelo Castillo:

It's cool. I can wait.

By the time the text convo was done, my professor was also done giving out his instructions. As if taken over by a new and much much eager spirit, I brought my focus back to the activity, excitement tingling on my chest. It was always fun to see Angelo. In fact, I'd began to see him as part of my family. Like how Lhyle, Ahron, Anjo, Maxxie and Hiromi had swayed into my life and fit into my family perfectly like puzzle pieces.