11: Design a Darling

“I’m so sorry, I couldn’t meet with you there.” Drino apologized.

“It’s okay. You’re studying while on a break.”

Drino spent his weekend at his family resort in the province. He will come back on Monday so as not to miss his class. Now, they’re in an online meeting to pitch his study to Ashmille on a Friday night.

“Thank you for sharing. I didn’t know we almost had the same idea. From the app I previously mentioned, to your love algorithm, and build a boyfriend. Permitted by Sir Montey, my draft study title would be: Design a Darling.”

He is in his bedroom. The interiors are filled with hotel-like ambience but with a hint of tropical and resort vibes.

“Nice name”

“I have a programmer friend, Tim. I will collaborate with him to create an app about dating.”

Aside from spending his short break at his family resort, he will be meeting his programmer friend who lives in that province.

Professor Montey recommended having their thesis with similar studies but with a slight difference in terms of gender. Ashmille would focus on how women can meet their romantic partners by choosing one who matches their personality. This is the same as Drino’s, but with men instead.

Drino already had an initial proposal in mind, but they proceeded with merging his and her ideas instead.

They shall create a platform accessible to both parties and bridge the perfect matches possible through online means, or by providing the study to matchmakers or dating consultants.

“Nowadays, organic encounters could be rare. With the existence of technology, everything is becoming more accessible if we want to.” He gestured with his right hand while his left hand held his tablet. “There’s online dating on various online platforms. Speed dating events are held in our local communities. Blind dates with a mystery to make the encounter more exciting. Networking mixers with your friends, colleagues, or relatives. All of these are meetings with someone with a predetermined agenda.”

Ashmille was just silently listening to him. It took them an hour to finish their online meeting.

***

Two weeks passed, and Drino had exciting news for Ashmille.

“This is the prototype of my app that I had Tim code for me. Let’s try it.”

Drino taught her how to use the app. He shared how Tim and he did it. They tested it.

“It’s cool. It works just like a regular app that we use on mobile phones,” she’s astonished by Drino’s app prototype.

“Yup, and with the help of my programmer friend, he’s indeed a genius!”

“You did a great job, too.”

“Thanks,” he chuckled. “To be fair, if it wasn’t for you, too, I wouldn’t be able to accomplish things like this.”

“We guided one another, so it goes both ways.”

“Right.”

*app notification sound*

They both looked at the app that produced a notification sound.

“Here it is.”

“Is that the result?”

“Yes, and it says… no way. We’re a good match!” he declared.

“How in the world did that happen?”

“Unbelievable, right? But according to the stats here…” He pointed out on his tablet’s screen. “We matched for 80%!”

“But that still doesn’t mean we’re a perfect match.”

“Yeah, but 80% for the first try of finding your right partner doesn’t sound bad. The passing score is 70%, but we surpassed it!”

“You seem too thrilled about this.” She noticed that he was enthusiastic about the result. “The remaining 20% means we can still have arguments and opposing beliefs, making it an almost perfect match with an imperfect relationship.”

Seems that he’s overacting and she’s being nonchalant about it.

“That’s right. The same goes for the pair who scored 100%. No matter how compatible a couple may seem, their relationship is not 100% perfect every time.”

“And then? What should we do after finding out this result?”

They tested their two thesis proposals. It turns out that they are almost a perfect romantic match based on their values, personality, and preferences.

“I would like to offer you a real-life study that the very own students of this institution and the researchers of this study would be conducting, which is considered a primary source of information,” he remarked.

“Please elaborate.”

“We need a couple who scored 80% or above as part of the experiment if the love algorithm indeed works?”

“Are you doubting my proposed solution?”

“Not that I doubt your brilliant solution. But our study requires evidence of your hypothesis to prove and support your proposed solution.”

“You have a point. So, who are these people? We should get some volunteers for this.”

“We only need two. I already have one.”

“Who’s the first one?”

“Me”

“Huh?” she’s confused.

“Yes, none other than me. I volunteer as a tribute. But I need a mademoiselle to make this experiment come to life.”

“You’re right. How about asking our classmates?” she paused. “Anthasia, since you two are close?”

“She still hates me. Besides, they’re busy doing their own study.”

“Other friends you have? You have a lot of them.”

“I do, but they reside far from our house. Other students conduct their research too. I cannot pull someone out easily for this. And it must be someone who matches my personality type, according to the love algorithm.”

“Hmm… I don’t have a friend who meets the criteria. This is harder than I thought.”

“No, it isn’t. If you agree to do it.”

“Wait, what?” she frowned

“Yes, you”

“N-No way. I’m not doing what you’ll do.”

“By knowing more of each other, reaching 100% is possible. If you want to elevate the percentage more, we can start by getting to know each other. Our personality types are a good match. We are thesis mates. What other reason to say that we’re not perfect experiments?”

“Do you hear yourself? I don't even possess the first qualification you specified.”

“You’re pretty. You’re just not aware of it,” he declared seriously.

Yes, Drino prefers pretty girls.

“Wha-?” she’s flushed.

“Yes”

“I… I’m not sure if I can do it.”

“Do you prefer it not to be me?” he pouted.

“That’s not what I mean. I’m certainly not cut out for it. Sure, I can help with the observation and data gathering phase. We can share the results as long as we give credit to each other. But…”

“But?” he waited for her to continue.

“I can’t pretend to be in a romantic relationship with someone.” Her voice lowered.

“Even if it’s for the sake of your grades? So that you execute your study to the panel successfully by supporting your claims with enough evidence? What about graduating with a Latin honor? And make yourself and parents proud?”

She gulped. “You’re making this hard for me.” She averted her gaze.

Drino looked deeply into her eyes. “I know we can do this. We have each other to support. Do you remember the first time I approached you?”

“I don’t think I do.”

“You said we got this. So, here it is.” He stated in an assuring tone.

Ashmille recalls the time when she said, ‘We got this’ to Drino. It was when Drino approached her and called her thesis mate.

Ashmille ran out of words on what to say to Drino, who suddenly approached her just to introduce himself. It was quite awkward because this was the first time they had talked with each other for more than 10 words, even though they shared several subjects from previous terms.

“We got this,” she smiled.

What she meant was, even though they would be tackling their thesis individually, success was still within reach. It wouldn’t be easy, but she believed that with determination and effort, they could pull it off. They had to hold onto hope and push forward.

Drino's eyes lit. He nodded and smiled warmly. “Yeah, we got this.”

“I did say that,” she muttered.

“Yes… You did.” He’s relieved that he remembers that.

Drino turned his eyes to the people walking beside them when an idea came to him.

“How about we put up an agreement regarding this?”