Hari stared at the mango sapling like it was a newborn baby that had already posted its first selfie.It stood proudly in the center of his humble hut, tiny but radiating golden warmth.
Then came the voice.
[System Alert: Mango Sapling Health = 99%]Initiating Daily Maintenance Protocols.
A new list popped up in front of his face like a surprise pop quiz from the universe.
Mango Sapling Daily Maintenance:
✅ Water with purified hydration (no plastic bottle brands).
❌ Sing "Mangoes of My Heart" before sunrise.
❌ Hug the sapling gently (watch the leaves).
❌ Tell the sapling it is doing its best.
Hari blinked. "This is starting to feel like raising a plant and a small emotional child at the same time."
The camel outside the hut let out a loud noise that sounded suspiciously like judgment.
Morning Mango Serenade (ft. Cringe)
Hari took a deep breath as the pink streaks of dawn painted the sky.
Then he began to sing.It was... not good.
🎶 "Oh mango of sweetness, my fruit of desire,You grow like ambition, you set hearts on fire..." 🎶
From somewhere in the distance, a dog howled.
Even the camel turned around and slowly walked out of earshot, its faith in humanity temporarily shattered.
Hari finished with a shaky "laaaa~," looked at the system, and waited.
✅ Sing before sunrise✅ Tell the sapling it's doing its best✅ Hug achieved. Mango morale improved.
He exhaled. "Good. We're one weird ritual away from photosynthesis greatness."
Knock Knock. Who's There?
A loud knock—more of a slap—hit the door.
Hari opened it to find the camel's rider from yesterday, now standing with a steaming bowl of dates and milk.
"Fruit Wizard," he said solemnly. "I return with offerings."
Hari blinked. "Uh. You didn't have to—wait, are these your version of taxes?"
"No," the man said. "This is rent. My camel has decided to live here now."
Hari looked past him. The camel had entered the hut.
It had removed a mat from the corner and made itself comfortable, its legs tucked beneath it like it had just signed a long-term lease.
[System Alert: Companion Camel Acquired!]Name: Pending Trait: Passive-Aggressive Staring
Hari groaned. "Great. I have a roommate now."
Suspicious Activity Level: Mango
That evening, as Hari carefully added compost to the mango pot (thanks to a "Go Dig Stuff" quest), he spotted something strange:
A black SUV parked far out on the sand. No roads nearby. No tire marks leading in.
Just… there.
He narrowed his eyes.
Inside the hut, the camel noticed it too. It slowly turned its head toward the window, locking eyes with Hari.
Hari raised a brow. "You seeing this too?"
The camel blinked once. Then made a weird noise that sounded a little too much like, "Bro."
DING – New Quest Unlocked!
[Side Quest: Mango Espionage]Objective: Find out who's watching you and why they smell faintly like printer ink and fear. Reward: Mango Sapling Growth Speed +5%, Camel Name Unlock, Bonus Accessory: Mango Sunglasses.
Hari looked at the sapling, then the SUV.
He sighed. "All I wanted was a vacation from responsibility."
Then he cracked his knuckles. "Time to do something responsible."
The camel sneezed.