Going the Distance (Book #1 of Distance series)

17: White Lies

"Mom, Dad, I would like you to meet my lovely girlfriend, Sophia. Sophia Jimenez."

Lovely girlfriend... my heart jolts straight to my throat. Are we on "this" already? The last time I checked, we were only dating.

Para akong na-ground sa sinabi niyang iyon. Alam mo iyong pakiramdam na bigla kang na-ground dahil basa ang iyong kamay nang pindutin mo ang switch ng ilaw? Iyong pakiramdam din na nabitin ang pag-wiwi mo? Maihahalintulad ko ang mga iyon sa naramdaman ko.

"Sophia, this is my Mom, Amanda, and my Dad, Radferd."

Flashing a cheerful smile, I take his Dad's hand and we give each other a quick, firm handshake. He smiles to me in return. Her Mom then leans over and catches my cheeks with hers. Her scent reminds me of Aunt Dolora who lives in Paris. Nakatatandang kapatid siya ni Dad.

Kapansin-pansin ang malaking pagkakahawig ni Andy sa kanyang ina. They have the same hazel eyes and shade of hair, which is dark brown. And although some streaks of gray strands are already visible in her crowning glory, it looks bouncy and well-taken care of.

Nakuha naman niya ang kanyang dimple sa ama, pati ang ngiti nito. He has blonde hair and he's wearing a pair of thick eyeglasses. Matangkad si Dad, pero walang-wala itong si Mr. Jimenez sa taas ng height ng father ni Andy.

"I'm so pleased to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Brent." I haven't cleared my throat and I even doubt myself if they did hear me speak.

"Jimenez? It's a Spanish surname, right?" his Dad asks with a small, delighted smile.

Agad na sumagot si Andy. "She's from the Philippines, Dad."

"Really?" He, in turn, gives us a bit of a surprised look, reaching up a hand to lightly clasp his throat.

"Actually, Sir, my father has Spanish and Chinese roots," pagbibigay-alam ko.

"That explains how lovely my girlfriend is!" Andy's dimple flash as he winks at me. Nambola pa ang Andy na ito! Pasimple ko siyang siniko dahil nakakahiya naman sa mga magulang niya ang ginagawa niyang pambobola.

"By the way, flower and chocolates for you, Ma'am," Ibinigay ko sa Mom niya ang potted orchid at isang pack ng dark chocolates na binili namin sa flower shop kanina.

"Thank you," tipid nitong sagot. Ang ngiti nito ay tipid rin. Nagustuhan kaya niya ang bulaklak na napili ko?

"She asked me to stopped by--- what you call that shop again?" baling ni Andy sa akin. Small lines form between his eyebrows. "Ah, yeah, the Miltons, right. She asked me to stop by The Miltons for awhile on our way here." Ipinatong niya ang kanyang kamay sa aking balikat.

"The Miltons! That's one of the best florists in Cambridge!" ani Mr. Brent. "Good choice! That's where my boss gets flowers for his wife."

"And you, Dad, how can we forget not bringing anything for you as well." Kanyang inabot ang bote ng champagne sa ama..

Labas ang dimples na tumawa ito sa kagalakan. "Very good! This will go well with our lunch today."

Mr. Brent ushers us to the dining room. Andy puts his arm around me as we follow his father's lead. Their home is a typical English country house, same as what I used to see in foreign movies. Their interiors are like cut-out pictures that came to life from Kuya Justin's house design magazines back home.

Dumaan kami sa isang pasilyo patungo sa kanilang dining area. Sa dingding ng pasilyong iyon ay makikita ang mga naka-frame na abstract artwork na siyang mga likha ni Andy. Habang tumatagal ay mas lalo tuloy akong humahanga sa angking galing niya sa sining. Sa webcam pa nga lang ay kay gaganda na nilang tingnan. Iba ang dating sa personal, lalo na kung sila'y pagmamasdan nang malapitan. I can notice the brush strokes and thickness of acrylic paint as I look closer, creating a 3d-like effect.