[ WP ] A man forgets to water his potted plant for a whole week . This negligence starts a long chain reaction that leads up to World War III .

( first time posting, go easy on me ) 
 
 `` Ah man, plant died,'' I thought to myself as I walked into the office. After noticing this, I proceeded to throw the plant away, as any normal person would. 
 
 Working for the government in Foreign Relations had been taking a toll on me as of late. Long hours and high stress, sometimes the little things would slip my mind; like taking time to tell my now ex-wife that I loved her, saying my prayers before bed and dinner, calling my mother, or watering a plant. 
 
 So I'm not a perfect person, but who is? Sometimes sacrifices have to made to reach our goals. I was n't in love with her anyway. My mom? Too high maintenance. She does n't understand my career. My faith? Who has time for faith anymore. The least of my worries is losing a silly plant....right? 
 
 I was then hit with the realization that this plant was n't as simple as just being a plant. 
 
 After years of tension and arguments, we as a country had finally begun the road to amending our relationship with the Country of Kashfar. What did this mean? Well, primarily in credit to myself and our president, this previous week we had met with the leader of Kashfar, Vjeran Milić, and exchanged a handshake in agreement to have internal discussions regarding the reformation of our country's relationship, and to reconvene in one week. Now, I had remembered a handshake had not been the only thing exchanged. 
 
 Mr. Milić had also blessed us with a potted plant, called a Blood Orchid. Okay, why? He went on to tell us that the Blood Orchid in sacred in Kashfar, it is not found anywhere else in the world, and it's existence is scarce. `` This gift will be a symbol of our amendments to come. While there has been blood shed in past, this Orchid should be cherished, as our friendship should.'' 
 
 I still found it odd. Milic will simply never know about the death of his precious Blood Orchid, and we'll proceed as normal. 
 
 The week passed, and it was time to sign the documents assuring peace and allies between our two countries. Upon meeting with Mr. Milic, he inquired about his prized Blood Orchid. Meeting on our grounds this time around, he asked to see it, after we assured it was well attended to. Walking towards the room where the Orchid had perished, I pretended to receive word that the Orchid had died and was collected that morning. 
 
 `` Mr Milic, I'm a bit bothered to inform you that the Orchid you had gifted us with has apparently died and been disposed of.'' I was already annoyed that this was even a topic, but generally I kept my cool, as my job and our country often times depended on it. Mr Milic was not pleased. `` Your negligence of our sacred Orchid concerns me. An Orchid's lifetime is that of several years, and you were not able to maintain it for one week,'' he replied, with a sound of disgust that only annoyed me more. 
 
 `` I'm sorry Mr. Milic. I can assure you this will not be a precedent of our relationship moving forward'', I said. 
 
 Mr. Milic stopped and looked me right in the eyes, `` You tread carefully sir. Our new beginnings have not begun well.'' 
 
 `` Going to attack me over a fu*king plant? ``, I said in rebuttal. Everyone froze. I slipped up. In 27 years I had never slipped up. Mr Milic glared at me, `` I will not be signing this document today. You are not prepared for what lies ahead,'' Milic said as he pointed his finger in my face. 
 
 I swatted his hand down. I'd lost all sense of self-control. I began committing verbal threats against Milic, against Kashfar, the rage from my terrible life was coming out at the worst possible time. All because I could n't keep a plant alive for a week. 
 
 After this dispute, things were never same with Kashfar. Milic had historically been known to be irrational in his attacks of other nations. A week later, after losing my job and doing some reminiscing, I had a slight sigh of relief at the fact that Milic had remained as sane as he did during our dispute. 
 
 Moments later, I heard a loud crash. I jumped out and looked outside, to see smoke and fire right around the area we had met with Milic a week ago. I realized exactly what was beginning....all because I could n't keep a plant alive for a week. 
 

