Meraki (adjective): to do something with soul, passion, or love

He had been sprinting all his life, eyes focused on one thing and only one thing: the construction made of the most advanced technology, the pinnacle of scientific development, the creation of a life and an action that would make him a god.

A living, breathing robot.

It stood before him, and it smiled.

He wasn’t sure how to feel. Euphoric joy at seeing the genuine emotion and appreciation in its eyes? Swelling pride in himself for completing his moon-shot dream, even when every friend and family member abandoned him? Tears bursted from his eyes and streamed down his dust-covered cheeks.

The robot began to cry, too. Upon seeing this, the scientist felt the crashing wave of fulfillment and relief that all his secret research paid off. Under the label of the “crazy inventor,” every step of the birth of his creation was carried out underground where the sun could not reach. Yet, the being standing before him was synthetic but not unfeeling. The mechanical hand that gently patted his shoulder with the warmth of a mother told him as much.

Then, footsteps sounded overhead.

He froze. How would the world react to his creation, his son?

Suddenly, he couldn’t bear to look into the innocent, digital eyes. His own life had been tarnished by his madness for research—not a single pair of eyes on Earth looked at him with friendliness.

The realization lapped at him, cold and resolute. He gave the robot the gift of consciousness and life, but what if it was a mistake?