I was sipping Expresso on a balcony overlooking the Bay percolated my senses and refreshed my memories of a love lost but consumated.The years of my almost reckless youth spent in a big city made a small hole in my heart overtime as I advanced to my risk-taking adulthood.
The bittersweet Nostalgia gripped me. It was too much to bear.Frowning while gritting my teeth.
I closed my eyes and daydreamt of my previous self in the company of my own kind,The Italian-Filipinos,just like the brew I tasted.
There I was wearing my crisp linen polo and light blue denim pair matched with light brown belt and loafers.Hair parted on one side and sporting a Five'o clock shadow and being middle twenty something.It was mid-afternoon inside the chapel. The crowd was talking in mixed Italian and Tagalog.Bantering and explaining about the differences between life here and the old country.Sitting and nodding my head everytime they asked me about something.
The ladies were all wearing skirts with their hair clipped,bow-tied and permed. They look like Euro-Dolls. Men came in wearing short sleeve polos,slacks and leather shoes. Wrists adorned with Swiss Watches.We were there for the baptism of a bambino (Italian for baby boy) by my Paesana (Italian for Female Country Folk). All of a sudden...the sound of a mini-sports car reverberated around the area. It stopped and its door was opened. She came out of the automobile with her dark brown stilleto, dirty crème outfit and brass colored aviator. She took her eyewear off and revealed her symmetrical Latin-Caucasian facial contours. Her dark crimson lipstick, porcelain skin and auburn hair were majestic.She had the body of Venus and she only stood at five feet and four inches at stature. She waved at my paesana who happens to be her younger sister. Apologizing for almost being late. The crowd accepted her apology. Paesana introduced her sister to us.
Her name was Sofia Carmela. Sofia Carmela then put out her hand slowly and shooked every man's hand softly but hugged her fellow ladies with bacci (Italian for Kisses).
When the ceremony was over...we were invited to dinner at a fancy ristorante. Heaps of pasta were served along with various cheeses and breads with a traditional prosciutto(Italian Ham). Those invited wished the family very well. I enjoyed joking about how Filipinas and Italians and Italian-Filipinas differ greatly. Sofia Carmela only smirked and smiled at my gesticulation between the Ethnicities.Sofia Carmela let out her tongue at our fellow paesans everytime the men laughed boisterously at my inane and insane descriptions.
She pointed her left index finger at my semi-aquiline nose as Sofia Carmela was sitting across me. She never said anything yet wanted to express her disdain.
It wasn't exactly the best on giving out a first impression on her but I digress it was the Tuscan wine kicking in. Finally,I had the need to relieve myself by getting outside the ristorante to light up a cigarette. Sofia Carmela followed me afterwards.
Standing and puffing outside then making funny faces at each other when she smiled at me then asked: “Parlo Italiano, Signore?” (“You speak Italian?”)
I answered in the affirmative: “Si Signorina” (“Yes,Miss”)
“E Piacere.” (A Pleasure.) Sofia Carmela softly said it so while blowing a ring at my face.
This Italian-Filipina Beauty standing in front of me.Right Wrist Exposed while clutching a cigarette and left foot pointed at me. Sofia Carmela tiled her head slowly to her left side.
It seems this Bi-racial Lass was interested. We went inside after smoking then congratulated her sister. Everybody exchanged hands, did some hugs, kissed everyone's cheek sides and sent out Italian greetings to each other.
I rushed out of the place and started my vespa (Italian Scooter Brand). Sofia Carmela almost passed me by but backed her japanese two-door sedan and appreciated my offer of joining her for a smoke. She was also impressed by my choice of wheels. Sofia Carmela feistly insisted on letting her operate my scooter. She asked me if I could teach her to ride it thus I insisted on making her give me the time,day and her mobile phone number.
“Il Numeri Telefoninni?” (Italian for Cellphone/Mobile Phone Number?)I asked her.
“Of course,Cut it out with your pidgin Italian.I'll teach you a thing or two.Let's stick to English for now.” Sofia Carmela smiled at me.
She gave me her mobile phone number and suggested we go out for expressos,macchiatos and cappuccinos.
And her crimson lips and pearly smile glowed.....
(To be Continued)
