It is said that West Vancouver has this house. The house is very big and magnificent. It is so big that it looks more like an emperor’s palace than a house- the epitome of wealth. As you enter the house, the silence makes one think that no one is home but as you walk upstairs, you can hear the rapid click of the keyboard coming from a room. Inside the room there is a girl- Lila. Lila’s father is a very rich man, in fact he is one of the richest men in Canada. He has a wide variety of businesses, but he is particularly proficient in technology. Because she was born with a golden spoon, Lila has never had to endure any hardships. Although she is 16 years old this year, she still maintains a youthful, innocent personality.

On the surface, Lila’s life seems perfect- what money can buy, she has- but in reality, she felt an infinite amount of loneliness. In order to keep their wealth growing, her parents prioritized their business trips. The only person who made Lila feel special is her best friend Ilya. Sadly for them, Ilya lived 8673 Kms and in Kyiv, Ukraine with a 9 hour time difference. Regardless of these factors, they have always been close.

*knock, knock*

“Lila it’s almost 3am and you’re still awake?” This is Lila’s mother who just returned home from a business trip when she discovered that her daughter was staying up late and staring at her computer screen.

“I tried to sleep but couldn't” Lila replied

“Are you talking to that Ukrainian boy again? I’ve told you countless times, it’s dangerous to talk to strangers online, he might be a catfish” Lila’s mother responded frustrated

“I video call him nearly everyday, of course he’s real. In fact, he’s more real than any friend I have in this city! And you know his name is Ilya so stop calling him ‘Ukrainian boy’. You and dad travel almost every day and I don't have any friends at school, he is my only friend.”

Compared to Lila, 16 year old Ilya’s life is a lot less comfortable, and a lot less harmonious- he doesn't have a mansion, doesn’t have luxury cars, his parents aren’t nearly as rich as Lila’s are. Ironically enough however, Ilya never feels as lonely as Lila. Apart from their lifestyle, Ilya and Lila’s personalities are also very different.

On February 24th, 2022, it was 1 am in Vancouver and 10 am in Kyiv. Lila and Ilya were chatting as usual when Lila realized that they don’t usually talk at this time. “Ilya is usually at school at this time, how come he’s talking to me” she thought to herself.

“Isn’t it 10am in Ukraine now? How come you missed class today?” Lila asked Ilya surprised

“Yes, I didn’t go to school today because my mother forced me not to go” Ilya responded

“Don’t you love going to school, how come you agreed not to go?” Lila’s curiosity kept growing

“I’m sorry, it’s time for me to go now, my mother is calling me.” Ilya responded

Ilya’s words caused Lila to feel frustrated and confused. She thought to herself, “Ilya’s behavior was so strange today, he didn’t even answer my question!”

The next day, Lila went down to eat breakfast with her parents. Usually, while her parents watch the news at breakfast time, Lila never pays attention, instead just looks through her phone. However, today, the headline made her look up from her phone. The headline read, “Russia declares war on Ukraine”. As soon as she saw this, she quickly texted Ilya, “I just saw the news about the war, why didn’t you tell about it yesterday?”

“Yes it’s true, that was the real reason I didn't attend school yesterday. I’m sorry I lied to you, but I didn’t want you to get scared for me” Ilya responds immediately

“So what will you and your family do now?” Lila asked, scared for her best friend. This time, Ilya didn’t respond, his response came a few minutes later, “I have no idea.”

This notification frightened Lila more than anything else, because if someone as knowledgeable as Ilya didn't know how to deal with this situation then it was indeed very serious.

At school that day, Lila didn't pay attention in any class, instead she spent the whole day researching methods to help her friend flee the war. She found that her own country- Canada- was accepting refugees but the process was as strict as it was complicated. The only way this plan would work is if her father helped by reaching out to his political contacts. Unless her father helped in this way, Ilya and his whole family would faec unimaginable consequences. Lila decided that this was not an option, she would definitely help her friend by asking her father as soon as he got home from work that day.

At 8pm, Lila’s father finally returned from work. Ilya ran downstairs and immediately said, “Dad! You have to help me. My best friend- Ilya is stuck in Ukraine, and he has no way of escaping. I know you have political connections. I’m begging you, please help them!”

“I’m a very busy man, Lila, I can’t stop all my work for you friend” Her father responded indifferently.

Lila silently ran up to her room. She knew that the business was her father’s top priority and nothing she said would change his mind.

A few days later, the situation in Ukraine continued to get worse, to the extent that Ilya’s school was bombed by Russian soldiers. Although Lila tried her best to help her friend, to no avail

At dinner that night, Lila’s dad started complaining, “ This war between Russia and Ukraine is really annoying for my business” before he could say anything further Lila screamed, “Can’t you see you selfish you are?” She had never spoken to her father in this way before. She continued by saying, “People in Ukraine don’t have homes, and are dying but all you care about is your own life, I can’t take it anymore” LIla ran to her room and cried.

After listening to Lila scream at him, Lila’s father immediately got up from his chair and started making phone calls. He didn’t sleep that night, trying to help Ilya. Lila’s father worked so hard everyday just so that his daughter would be proud of him but today, he found out that this was not the case. Even though his daughter wasn’t proud of him, he was proud of her for becoming a righteous person.

The next day, Lila woke up to a message from Ilya, “you’ll never believe it! Someone anonymously sponsored my family's escape to Canada!!”

Lila immediately hugged her dad and said, “ thank you for saving my friend.” Her father said nothing, just smiled.