Wabi-Sabi

26

"And welcome to Saint Cecelia University!"

I smiled as we watched the University Dean make her way down the stage in the gymnasium. Although I was happy while applauding with my hands, I truly believe my hands were far more useful in slapping Kim and her pets' faces than in clapping.

Nasa haparan namin sila ngayon medyo 'di kalayuan. The first thing I learned this morning was that the three of them had transferred to the Finance Department. Mabuti naman para 'di ko na makikita pa ang mga mukha nila sa same building.

"Fine Arts freshmen?" tanong ko sa mga estudyante na halatang naliligaw at hindi alam kung saan sila pupunta.

"Ate, what room po ang TBA?"

"That's actually an abbreviation for to be announced," sagot ni Luna tsaka pinigilan ang sarili na matawa kasi ganiyan din kami noong freshmen palang kami.

They all just laughed bago sila sumunod sa 'min papuntang College of Arts and Letters building. Matapos namin silang ihatid sa department ay agad na rin kaming nagtatakbo ni Luna papuntang fifth floor for our Sculpture Making Class.

"Sculpture, a branch of the visual arts, works in three dimensions and is part of the plastic arts. Originally employing carving and modeling in materials like stone and metal, Modernism has broadened both materials and processes,"

Standing in front of us was a miniature sculpture of David, created by the renowned Italian artist Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni during the Renaissance period. The room was painted entirely in white, and the windows were transparent, allowing the sun's rays to shine directly upon us.

I have been studying Wabi-Sabi for several months now, and it is a very new concept for me. Whenever I look deeply into something I become more aware of the little details—how they are crafted and their impact on those who observe them, allowing me to relate to things we perceive as supposed to be perfect.

As I closely examined the sculpture of David, I realized that his contemplative expression and the subtle asymmetry in his pose serve as reminders of his humanity and imperfections, resonating with the idea that even in our strengths, we are imperfect beings.

"Ma'am, si Maya po nakangiti na naman!" Biglang sigaw ng kaklase ko kaya siniko ko siya kaagad sabay tawa ng palihim.

"Gaga," bulong ko habang pinipigilan ang sarili na mapahagalpak sa tawa.

Isaac and I are both graduating students kaya naging sobrang busy naming dalawa. Kung wala siyang klase, ako naman ang meron. Pag ako naman ang wala, siya naman ang meron. Parang gusto ko nalang mag-quickie kami, char.

And yes, sinagot ko siya noong third year kami sa harap ng mga aso nang sinamahan niya ako pauwi habang kagagaling niya lang mag-biking.

It's actually really cute that we became an official couple in front of the dogs that witnessed our first unofficial date, where we were eating pandesals as our supposed dinner date.

"Anong meron, Naya?"

Nakataas ang isang kilay kong nakatitig kay Naya, Mama, at nandito rin pala si Kino. Nilapag ko ang bag sa upuan sa gilid. Ano na naman kaya ang ganap? It was already 8 in the evening, and all I wanted to do was to sleep.

"Ngayon lang kasi lumabas yung result sa quiz bowl contest ni Naya, nanalo siya tapos first place pa kaya baka maghahanda ako!"

"Wow! Congratulations, Naya!" Niyakap ko siya. It was so good to watch as we slowly returned to what we were before. And I could really see how content they are with what we have right now.