10: Build a Boyfriend part 2

Ashmille continued typing on her laptop and showed Drino: 

IDK why. Do we bother him?

He didn’t respond to her. He turned his gaze to the man.

“Excuse me, Sir. Is there something you want to share with us?” he asked the quiet man sitting next to him.

The man looked at him and raised his right eyebrow.

“I noticed you seem uneasy. Do you need something?”

“Uh, nothing. I couldn’t help but listen to what you two are talking.”

“Are you sure, Sir? Let us know if we bother you.”

“No. I’d like to share some insights if you want.” He looked at Ashmille too, asking for approval.

“What is it, Sir?” he asked.

“Your study correlates with the book I’m reading.” He put the book on the table.

“Finding the Love You Desire,” Drino mumbled.

“This book was written by a psychologist who conducted various experiments about finding people’s way to meet their one true love. It’s compelling and refreshing. This book helps anyone, whether they're single, dating, or in a serious relationship, learn how to build stronger and more fulfilling connections with others. If you're searching for real-world strategies to improve your relationships, this book delivers them.”

“I'd like to hear more about that,” Drino murmured.

“I hope this book will help you with your studies.” Having finished reading, the man set the book down on the table

He started packing his stuff and stood up. “Good luck”

Drino grabbed the book he had left on their table. “You forgot your book, Sir.”

“You can have it. I heard you’re both senior college students conducting your studies. Use that as one of your sources.”

“T-Thank you, Sir,” Ashmille thanked the man.

“Thanks for your kindness,” Drino added.

The man waved his hand and left the café.

“Whoa, we got a free book!” Drino gasped.

“I’ve been eyeing his book for a while because it sounded interesting, and it might help with our thesis. I want to buy a copy from a bookstore, but he gave this to us,” Ashmille giggled.

Who would have thought that going to a café with Drino was worth it because they got the free book she wanted to buy?

She immediately started reading the book. After 32 pages of reading and 12 minutes of thinking, she put down her ballpen.

“I hope I’m done.”

“Don’t you wish?” he joked.

“What I meant was my questions.”

“Kidding. Let’s see,” Drino read her written 17 survey questions. “I approve.”

“Really?”

“Except for one.”

“What is it?”

“To keep the survey concise, focus on the first 16 questions. Only proceed to the 17th question if the respondent indicates a 'no' response to question 16.”

“Nice insight. Noted.”

“Are we done?”

“Yes. The book really helped me to finish this. I’ve read a few pages, but it has given me ideas that made it easy.”

“Sounds like an intriguing book, indeed.”

“And of course, thank you for your help.”

“No sweat. Anytime,” he smiled.

“I thought you were a bully.”

“Really? Why? What made you think that I’m a bully?”

“You are always surrounded by a lot of people, intimidating people to be exact. Your group of friends laughs a lot and is always up to something.”

She also thought he was an irresponsible student.

“Fair enough. I never really approached you before.”

“But one thing is attractive. You always smile.”

“So, my study involves building a boyfriend. From the title itself, you’ll get the gist of it.”

“Kind of”

“Okay.”

“So, Ashmille, what’s yours?”

“What’s mine about what?”

“What built does your boyfriend have?”

“Build as in his physical appearance?”

“Drino!” Someone exclaimed. “Is that him?” he asked the other two guys he’s with.

They were interrupted by three guys who happened to see them. They talked to him.

“C’mon, let’s sit over there,” his second guy friend invited them to join them at a bigger table and chairs. “I’ve got loads to tell you, dude.”

“Yeah, and you shouldn’t miss this,” the third guy added.

Ashmille checked the time on her phone, and it’s getting late. It was a productive day, but the traffic is still along the way.

“Sorry, I need to go.”

“Oh, right.” He checked the time on his smartwatch.

“Drino, here,” the first guy called him to the vacant seat they had reserved.

He waved his hand to wait. “”

“Where do you live?”

They were both so absorbed with their ideas and exchanged opinions, they forgot about the passing of time.

“I commute, and it’s far. I need at least an hour allowance to go home on time. If not, the traffic gets worse.”

She continued packing her stuff.

“I almost forgot. Here’s my share.” She handed cash to Drino as her payment for her drink. “What’s your DigiCash account number? I will transfer the remaining fee. I’m short on cash.”

She held her phone and opened her Digital Cash account to pay him via an online payment platform. Her parents just sent her some extra money online when she asked and texted them earlier.

“No need. I got it,” he refused.

“What? No way. I owe you one already for accompanying me here to help with my survey questions.”

“Uh, okay. I’ll text you my account details.”

“Okay”

“Ashmille? Uh-”

“Hm?”

“We can have our weekly meetings aside from meeting during class hours. Since Sir Montey wanted us to work together, I think it would be a good idea to meet at least once a week in the library or cafés again… To lend a hand to each other.”

They meet once a week for their major thesis subject, and Drino proposed to have at least one meeting per week, only the two of them.

“Yes, we can do that,” she agreed. “Next Friday again?”

“I’ll see you again.”

“Thanks. Bye,” she bid farewell.

“Take care on your way home!”

Upon arriving at her home, she had dinner with her family. Two hours before going to sleep, Ashmille drafted a caption for her survey to be put on various online platforms. As soon as she edited and reviewed it, she posted and shared it with her family, relatives, friends, and strangers online. She even joined public and private groups, group chats, and sent some messages to her friends to answer her survey questionnaire.

This is the caption she made:

Greetings! I am Ashmille Feder, a 3rd-year Psychology student, currently working on my thesis titled "Build a Boyfriend: Guiding Women to Discover their Perfect Romantic Match based on their Personality Types."

Are you having a hard time meeting your significant other? Are you tired of dating men who do not match with you and do not connect with your values and personality? Why go with Mr. Left when there is Mr. Right? Or are you just curious about how this study works?

Question no more! To the ladies out there, I humbly request your ample time to answer my online survey. Rest assured that all the data gathered will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

For concerns or queries, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email, ashmillefeder@gmail.com. Thank you for your time!

She also posted a picture of a man and a woman dating for visuals, with a brief text explaining her survey. The survey link and QR code were also provided.

Ashmille: Hi. I hope you can answer this. Thanks!

She chats with Drino to ask if he could answer her survey. She’d noticed that he rarely used social media and wasn’t active there, but he replies when they chat. That’s why she decided to message him, just to make sure he had seen her survey.

Drino: Sure!

Drino: I’m done answering it. Will share this with others as well. Well done! All the best :D

Ashmille: Thank you

Drino put a heart reaction to her thank you reply.

Ashmille: Are you done with yours? You haven’t posted anything about your survey yet. Or are you conducting it purely face-to-face instead?

Ashmille followed up.

Drino smiled, feeling a warm sense of appreciation. It made him happy to see that she cared enough to take an interest in his survey. It reflected how thoughtful and attentive she was.

Drino: Will do it in a bit 😊 I’m just rechecking everything before blasting it out.

Ashmille: Thank you for helping me with my survey.

Drino: Don’t sweat it. I answered it promptly

Ashmille: Not only did you answer it, but you also helped me come up with questions.

Drino: Anytime! Just chat with me if you need me.

Ashmille put a smiley reaction to his latest reply.

Upon scrolling on her social media newsfeed, Ashmille saw on her social media newsfeed that Drino shared at least ten times the public post of her online survey. He even commented multiple times on her post to increase its engagement and bumped the post to make it visible again.

A subtle curve formed into her lips.