H.O. Santos wrapped-up Piña Colada with the commencement of Carol and Bill's wedding ceremony. "She’s wearing virginal white and is beautiful as brides should be. She comes to me–and gives me a knowing smile." This is the part where Ben will give Carol away, walk her down the aisle, to the altar, to his groom. The ending symbolizes the main characters' acceptance of their own choices: Carol and Bill, to marry each other and Ben, to let go.
“I’m sorry to have to leave you. I hope you won’t feel lonely.”
This line portrays how Carol cared so much for Ben, even though they shared memories for a short period of time, this certain part of the story tells us that Carol felt too attached towards Ben. She knew that Ben lived alone through the years and it would feel empty again once she leave his house.
The ending was not surprising at all. At the beginning of the story, Carol clearly struggled with her emotions partly because of the newness of the country and its norms, and partly because she was alone and there was barely any communication between her and Ben at first. This made her very vulnerable around Ben especially after they have expressed their real feelings and grew close to each other. However, it was clearly indicated at the first part of the story that Ben only wants to help and have an 'easy score' and Carol only went abroad to marry one of the 'four men she's been corresponding with' and start anew. Both stayed true to their purpose; at the end, she pursued a happy, married life abroad. On the other hand, Ben accepted the situation with grace and lived on with a happy heart for helping a kababayan.
"Who, me? Are you kidding? I thought to myself."
It was now raining outside – it figured, I had just washed my car. We sat down to watch the game. I explained to Carol how football was played but I couldn’t tell if she cared or not. She pulled her feet up and snuggled close to me. "I gave in to the urge to hug her. She hugged me back and I kissed her without being asked like the first time. She didn’t protest and we shed off any remaining antagonism we had towards each other.
On the first line, Ben was in denial to his own feelings - as if he wouldn't mind it even if she leaves, but the second line tells us that we can't lie to ourselves, no matter how we hide it, no matter how we deny it, there are situations that we can't control our feelings. There's a saying that "Sometimes our actions are much more meaningful than words. A hug can sometimes express more than our words will ever express" (Catherine Pulsifer). Even though Ben couldn't express his feelings with her, his actions obviously did. And on the last line, the tears emblematizes "farewell". It was the part wherein they know that they have to say goodbye because they both chose to walk on different path.
Contributors:
Esquibel, Maria
Estrada, Anna
Frilles, Aaron
Cover page editor:
Gallarte, April
Image credit:
Wedding image. Retrieved from Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/34621490872223945/
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