And reality?
Reality is right here.
Early in the morning, Damir received a call from Russia. It was his former classmate and once-best friend, Vadim. The surprise thrilled him. Vadim was the only person Damir truly trusted in this entire world—and now, during the worst moment of his life, Vadim had called him.
“Hey, brother! I finally found you! I heard you got married and ran off to Canada?” Vadim said, laughing.
“Sorry, bro, it all happened so fast,” Damir rubbed his forehead, feeling genuinely uncomfortable.
“When I explain everything, you’ll understand why I didn’t tell you.”
“It’s all good. So, when are you coming back?”
“Soon. Vadim, I’m in a really messed-up situation right now, and your call came at the perfect time. I need advice—or even legal help.”
“You’re a lawyer yourself.”
“Apparently, not a very good one,” Damir replied bitterly.
“Do you need someone who specializes in Canadian immigration law, or did you get yourself into some kind of criminal mess?”
“Looks like the second one.”
There was a long pause. Then Vadim spoke again.
“Tell me it’s not prison time.”
“I don’t think so. I could come back, but… that’s probably not an option for me right now. Let me explain the situation briefly, and maybe you can recommend someone in Moscow I could talk to.”
“Alright, brother. Go ahead.”
For the time being, Damir rented an apartment in a more populated area and moved in with his mother, Zulfiya, and his wife. Emine wanted to come too. She didn’t believe a single word her husband had said and was deeply hurt by the accusations he had thrown at their biological son. She kicked him out of their bedroom and stopped speaking to him. Saher didn’t believe the story either. Samad had left on a business trip. Despite everything, Omer didn’t freeze Damir’s bank account. In fact, he added more money to it. He no longer blamed or scolded him either, and when he heard that Damir was moving into a rental place until he could prove his innocence, he accepted it. Meanwhile, Damir was waiting impatiently for a call from his Moscow friend while preparing to move.
Diana had found a small, furnished apartment on the outskirts of the city in just a few hours. When they met, she handed him all the document copies he had asked for. Damir, his mother, and his wife packed their belongings and left.
Soon after, Emine and Saher arrived. Damir tried to comfort both of his mothers—who fully believed in him. They were devastated, unable to understand who could have betrayed their boy like this. They also hoped the other son, as a brave and loving brother, would uncover the truth and save him.
Three days later, Vadim finally called back and gave him an address in Montreal.
“Call this guy and explain everything in person. He’ll help you find the right people over there.
Trying to handle it from Moscow is useless—they told me that.”
“Who is this?” Damir asked, reading the name he had just written: Alexander.
“He’s… a good friend of a very influential person living in Canada.
He’s Russian. When he heard about you, he agreed to help—once he found out you were also from Russia and who your father is. I think he’ll be useful. Damir, I don’t know what else I can do for you, brother.”
“Thank you, man. I owe you big time. And I’m sorry I didn’t call you sooner.”
“No worries. We’ll settle up later. Just let me know how the meeting goes. Call or text me.”
