On the surface, this story from Aida Rivera-Ford is about young love leading to an illegitimate child, a “disappearing” boyfriend, an unhappy marriage of convenience, affirmation of the boyfriend’s love, and taking responsibility for one’s actions. On a deeper level, questions arise as to whether the couple’s lovemaking was consensual or forced (She resisted but his arms were strong.). We also see elements of ethnic and class discrimination in the descriptions of Tinang’s Bagobo husband and her sense of superiority over the “darker-skinned” girls and other workers in the fields. Themes: prejudice, love, choices and consequences, regret, facing reality/moving on.
The fact that the title refers to the place under the kalamansi tree where Tinang reads Amado’s letter, rather than spot in the field where their lovemaking took place, suggests that this is the climax or turning point of the story. Although Amado has confirmed his love, the snake (a biblical symbol of temptation) warns that there is no going back. She must ignore the past and face up to her responsibilities to her baby and unborn child?
Original Text / PDF (1,950 words)