"So, smartphones like these barely have any buttons at all other than the power button to switch on and off your phone. And…" Sayana kept on explaining the functions of the phone with only a huge display and no buttons to Viktor, who was first confused about how one could use a phone without buttons.
But then, learning that this 'smartphone' worked in a totally different manner than the small keypad phones he was used to, he was able to pick up the differences quickly.
In fact, even though it seemed confusing at the start, the way Sayana explained it made everything crystal clear, and in fact, he realized that using this phone was way more fun than the small block-sized phones.
He heard terms like apps and stuff but at least by now, he learned how to make a phone call or send a message through a messaging app.
If he found some steps confusing, he would just memorize the steps Sayana followed though he barely needed to since Sayana would repeat till he understood.
She then continued on with his laptop, "I think you already know what a laptop is, right?"
Viktor said as he nudged his spectacles, "Ah, yes. I had tried using my father's a few years back. But it was way bigger and bulkier than this slim one. He said that he had to import it since it wasn't readily available in our country. He had boasted that it was one of the first generation laptops made in the 1980s."
Sayana's eyes widened as she asked in an unusually excited tone, "Don't tell me your dad owned the laptop made by the father of laptops…"
"Alan Bill," Viktor completed with a proud smile.
"...Alan Bill, wow!"
In fact, I gave that kid the money to make laptops…' Viktor added in his mind.
Viktor and Sayana said the name at the same time, and she became even more excited after confirming her guess.
"You don't say...that's so amazing. Do you still have it??" She asked with sparkling eyes.
Viktor sighed with pursed lips, "No...my uncle and aunt sold it away along with everything else my parents owned."
Sayana bit her lips and said in a low voice, "I am sorry…"
Viktor waved his hands with a smile, "No...it's all right. After all, I have a new laptop, don't I, heh?" Viktor said with a wry smile.
Sayana gave a heavy nod thinking that he might still be sad about losing his parent's belongings as well.
So to distract him, she asked, "But even though you are not used to the modern stuff, you seem quite knowledgeable about these devices, like about the ones who created them."
Viktor said with a happy smile, "Of course. My dream is to become a computer scientist. Ever since I started using my father's laptop, I had developed an interest to explore the potential of such an amazing device, including the amazing things we can do and create with it. So, I would try to read up on who created these amazing devices in the first place and see if I can develop their mindset as well so that I could also do something amazing like them."
If Tiana had heard Viktor's words right now, she would have stuck the label 'Nerd' on his forehead.
However, Sayana didn't think any of such but felt impressed and admired him, for he was still able to pursue his interests and seek knowledge despite his rough background.
In fact, she felt that they both shared the same mentality.
But she didn't know if she could be as strong as him in his shoes. And for the first time when she saw his side profile, she felt as if she wasn't looking at a simple-minded person, but someone who was strong enough to keep on moving forward no matter what hardships he faced and...appeared way more attractive than before.
But she shook her head inwardly, wondering why she was having stray thoughts.
"And now I am glad that I was able to get a scholarship in one of the most elite schools. But I am thankful to Aunt Taya for recommending me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to take their scholarship exam," Viktor added with an elated smile.
Sayana suddenly felt that her achievements, even if more than Viktor on paper, paled in comparison to his efforts.
"You are so amazing…" Sayana muttered in a daze as if bewitched by his halo.
"Eh?" Viktor turned his head with a confused expression.
Sayana suddenly moved her gaze, wondering when she even started to compliment boys so openly.
"Did you say something?" Viktor asked as he blinked his eyes.
"No, I uh...wanted to say that I love computers as well. In fact, just like you, I want to become a good computer scientist. I think we will enjoy learning computers in our college and help each other out. We can be study buddies...I mean...if you want..." Sayana said as she glanced away while rubbing her fingers together.
However, inwardly she regretted asking such a direct question, worried if Dorian might find it annoying. She didn't even have a study buddy before other than Tiana bugging her on the night before any exams.
Her previous attempts in forming study buddies all ended in disaster as they would either make her do their assignments in the name of 'study' or just leave after getting bored.
So Sayana stopped trying and had been studying by herself for the past few years. But now, after interacting with Viktor, she felt as if she had met a kindred spirit and felt quite excited to study with a like-minded person who shared her same interests.
Only she knew how tough it was to meet someone like him who didn't seem as if they were struggling to be in her presence.
'How cute…' Viktor thought as he looked at her nervous expression but also at the same time noticed that she held insecurities about herself, and he felt like wanting to remove them gradually.
"Really? Can we?" Viktor asked with an excited smile.
Sayana was startled by his excitement but at the same time felt her chest becoming warm as she said with an awkward chuckle, "Uhm..yes."
"Great...thank you. I never had a study buddy before, nor did anyone want to be. So I am happy that finally, someone wanted to be my study buddy," Viktor said with shining eyes.
Sayana felt very happy inwardly, feeling glad that she asked, especially when it seemed like Dorian also faced the same issues as her.
"Does this mean w-we...are friends now?" Viktor asked timidly.
"Friends…" Sayana mumbled with a glazed expression.
"Uhm..I am sorry for asking. I know I—"
"Yes...of course," Sayana said with a soft smile.
Viktor beamed, "Then friends it is…" He then grabbed his wrist and slowly extended his other hand for a handshake.
Seeing his cute gesture, Sayana smiled as she also extended her hand nervously to shake his hand.
But the moment her hand made contact with his, her eyebrows raised as she said with a slight chuckle, "Wow...your hand is really warm."
She felt as if she placed her hand near a furnace.
She then shifted her gaze up to see his face being sun-kissed, making him appear pure and radiant.
But she got out of her daze when Viktor awkwardly took his hand out, "I think it's because the AC must be off, heh," He said with a nervous chuckle.
'What a bother... how could I forget that it's still not even dusk…' Viktor shook his head inwardly but felt that it wasn't a big deal.
He immediately circulated his blood to regulate his temperature to match that of a normal person.
Sayana felt quite the opposite since she was starting to feel cold under the AC and wondered if he had set the temperature of the AC quite low.
Still, she didn't think too much about it and then asked, "Actually...if you don't mind...do you want to go shopping for some books and notebooks that could...you know, help with your studies? After all, our college is going to start soon, and it would be good if you are prepared with the basics."
Sayana couldn't understand where she got the courage to ask such things since she never had before. But this time, her heart seemed too insistent, and she wondered if it was because she wanted to cheer him up and help him at the same time or if it was because of something else.
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