The adjective 'virtual' refers to the fact that most of the water used to produce a product is not contained in the product. We do not realize the actual amount of water we use in our daily lives. Behind a morning cup of coffee are 140 liters of water used to grow, produce, package and ship the beans. The ubiquitous burgers need an estimated 2,400 liters of water, this is more than the amount of water an average person uses while taking a long shower or while drinking.
Most of us have either had access to or have heard about virtual reality, a highly interactive, platform that enables people to be "present" in the virtual environment - to the extent that their body and mind believe what is happening is real .
Now, imagine a world without water. A virtual world that is soon to be reality. That's what this short story is about. Hope it can bring a change.
Sixteen-year-old Anna embarks on a lakeside vacation with her overbearing mother, hoping for a break from her father's constant absence and her mother's smothering care. But a series of humiliating accidents force Anna to confront her vulnerabilities, while her mother's firm hand brings their relationship to a breaking point. As the trip unfolds, Anna struggles with the loss of independence and the looming reality of her mother's drastic solutions to her recurring issues. Through embarrassment, arguments, and reluctant compromises, Anna and her mother navigate the fine line between care and control, culminating in an uneasy understanding that will shape their relationship back home.