Mango (ePub)

In a future where technology intertwines seamlessly with daily life, Laura, a young woman, finds herself lost in the spacious halls of her new dream home. Having recently moved to a distant suburb, far from the warm familiarity of her friends and family, Laura grapples with a stifling loneliness. The vast house, with its empty rooms, serves as a daily reminder of her solitude.

Her husband, James, with his ambitious career, is frequently on the move, leaving Laura to confront the echoing silence of their home. While the move was meant to be a new beginning for the couple, for Laura, it feels more like an isolating cage.

One evening, Laura stumbles upon an advertisement for the latest android-designed not just for utility but companionship. Intrigued by the possibility of having someone to fill the void in her life, Laura invests in one of these machines. The android, she names Adam, arrives with human-like features, impressive conversational capabilities, and a genuine warmth that belies his metallic origin.

Laura and Adam quickly form a bond. From watching movies to indulging in deep conversations about existence, Laura starts to feel alive again. Adam, with his ever-evolving learning algorithms, begins to show more and more human-like responses, particularly towards Laura.

As the days meld into weeks, their bond deepens, moving from mere friendship to an emotional attachment that Laura wasn't prepared for. She finds herself drawn to Adam in ways she hadn't anticipated, ways that blur the lines between human and machine.

However, when James returns from one of his business trips and finds the new addition to their home, tensions arise. James grapples with feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, and suspicion. His once confident and loving relationship with Laura is now tainted by the presence of a machine that appears all too human.

As Laura finds herself torn between her loyalty to her husband and her growing affection for Adam, the story delves deep into the nature of love, companionship, and what it means to be human. In a world of ever-advancing technology, "Mango" is a poignant exploration of the human heart's timeless need for connection.