“Hi. I have more food than I need. Would you like some?”
The boy looked up slowly, his eyes wide with surprise and caution. It was clear he hadn’t expected anyone to speak to him.
For a moment, he seemed unsure, as if waiting for a trick. But then he nodded, almost imperceptibly.
“Thank you,” he murmured, his voice barely audible.
From that moment on, Lilia began bringing him something extra each day — a piece of fruit, a small treat, another sandwich. At first, their exchanges were wordless or minimal.
But gradually, the boy, whose name was Sasha, began to speak. He told her about the books he enjoyed, his hopes of becoming an engineer, and how difficult things were at home, where even food wasn’t always guaranteed.
To Lilia, it was nothing extraordinary — just small, thoughtful gestures. Sharing what she had. But to Sasha, those moments were a lifeline. They reminded him that he mattered, that someone saw him, and that he wasn’t completely alone.
