In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious and Most Merciful, the twenty-ninth chapter of the story begins, please do enjoy it.
Good luck!

Taliha's POV:

After hearing grandfather's statement about my story writing, I said with a smile.

"Alhamdulilah, story writing has been fun."

"Wait, so you are still writing novels?"

"Yes, why not?"

He chuckled feeling amazed, "Wow, you really were serious about it. I never expected that you would find so much passion in story writing."

Me neither grandfather, you made me see the best in me.

"I wish you luck in your future ambition."

"Thanks grandfather, I am actually hoping to make my stories a big hit in the market.....it hasn't been seen by the world globally yet."

"With time, you will get there Taliha."

Inshallah....

"And your studies? I hope your focus on story writing isn't overshadowing your time for your studies."

I paused for a while, I knew that grandfather would never want me to be careless with my studies. Mum even gave me a quick glance and I faced her too. I knew that she was concerned about it, grandfather was also harsh with her too. So I sighed softly before saying with a nod.

"Evet, Büyük baba."

"That's good." He stated and my lips twitched into a smile feeling relieved that grandfather didn't get angry.

Alhamdulilah.....

"And your school? How was your school first experience?"

"Uhm, it was....good actually."

He chuckled softly before his eyebrows furrowed, "Are you sure?"

I groaned softly, he caught me....

Grandfather was aware that I didn't enjoy my first day at school. My disorder can't just be turned off on my first day. I wanted to conceal the words from him but the pressure was too much. At the last minute, I had to let the words out.

With a sigh, I blurted "I didn't enjoy it to be honest grandfather."

Grandfather bursts into laughter and I placed my palm over my face with a slight groan. Mum just shook her head with a slight smile.

Damnit!

"How did you know that I was terrible in my school on the first day?"

"Because I know you better Taliha, you can't just pop out of your disorder....suddenly."

I sighed for a while before I nodded in agreement, I had to agree with him because he was right. "You are right grandfather."

"So, what are your plans of getting out of your disorder?"

"I tried many things, I used theories and past research related to my disorder but still...." I mentioned before I shook my head sadly, ".....nothing."

"That's sad dear. How have you been coping with the crowd? You are aware that the university is another world on its own, a place populated with different people."

"Yes grandfather, but I have been able to withstand the struggle. I am gradually learning how to stay in the midst of the students in the hall."

"Do students attend lectures regularly in your minor?"

"Well yes, the hall is frequently populated everyday."

Halimah is a major in chemistry while I am a minor, a fresher to be precise. The students in our hall always attend lectures in the morning but the hall gets empty immediately the clock strikes noon. So they attend only morning lectures and skip the remaining lectures to hang out with friends and have fun in the pub maybe. They don't miss the morning lectures because of attendance. Attendance of students is one thing that matters in a university. When students' presence in lectures are taken, the attendance serves as marks added to your results after the semester ends.

"Alright then." He nodded slightly satisfied, then he added "I hope you don't follow peers to parties too."

I scoffed instantly, Parties? I am not even a party person.

"Grandfather you should know me by now, I don't make friends with people and parties aren't my thing."

"I know that dear, I just have to warn against the ill acts done in the university. People do get killed by some gangs in campus or even school buildings so don't get involved with students whose goals arent for their degree. Follow those who are more smart and brilliant than you, always remember where you come from. We are decent people and you know my status in our city." Grandfather is right though, I shouldn't get my hands soiled with the evil deeds done in the university, I have to be careful with the people I meet. Luckily for me, my disorder is a weapon I use in getting away from people. But I discovered that I was actually one of the top students in my first year, the students will surely want to meet me even though I don't want to meet them. Did I also forget to tell you that my grandfather had gained recognition in my hometown? He knows a lot of people in the town. He even has a group of men who work for him. I was afraid of going to see my grandparents because of them while I was little, the men always freaked me out. There is no one, absolutely....no one who doesn't know grandfather in that town.

"Thank you so much grandfather, I won't fail you and I will strive for the best in my five-year programme." I assured him with an affirm smile, then he nods satisfied, "Goooood girl."

"I can't wait to meet you soon grandfather."

"Me either, why haven't you come to visit us with your mother?"

I glanced at mum with a scorn and she laughs nervously feeling guilty, she was the reason why I didn't go back home.

If only mum wouldn't be so persistent from taking me home.

"Well grandfath---"

"Don't worry father, we will come to visit you and mother next month...."

What did mum just say?

After mum interrupted me, the words I wanted to say were taken back into my mouth. My lips were sealed afterwards in shock before I turned to zero my eyes to mum. Before I could find a word to say, grandfather interrupted me with a chuckle, he was so happy.

"Alhamdulilah, that's great Selma."

With a beam at him, she said "Of course...."

"I am glad that things are fine over there with you guys, alhamdulilah."

Alhamdulilah, grandfather....

Things were going well for me so I smiled gradually feeling relieved. At least I will be going home soon.

"Taliha dear, study hard and be a good champ that you are okay?"

"Of course, grandfather." I replied him with a broad smile, then he added "Now give the phone to your mother, Taliha."

I nodded instantly and stood up to give mum the phone. Mum and grandfather wanted to talk in private, I needed to give them their space. "Here mum, grandfather wants to speak to you." I said reaching the phone to her, then she nods while taking the phone from me.

"Hello father..."

"Selma, how are you doing?"

"I am good father, as always."

"Are you sure?"

Grandfather asked her with his eyebrows furrowed, he seemed serious with the look on his face. Mum just nods in reply, "Yes, father." "Alright then." He nodded as well before he paused with his lips joined together, then he continued.

"And Jamal? Have you heard from him?"

Mum was speechless, she didn't say a word. I was just looking at her, watching her reaction to grandfather's question. I knew that she was hurt by just hearing his name, her eyelids fluttered slightly feeling pained. Grandfather was aware that she still had some feelings for him, I miss father as well. Mum took deep breaths while trying to push back the teardrops from her eyes before she said.

"No father, I haven't heard from him."

Grandfather was silent for a while, he was surprised, "Wow, that's so shocking."

"Did his family members call you ever since you left his house?"

"No father, I haven't heard from them ever since."

"Why would Jamal be so careless? Especially when it comes to you....." Grandfather sighed sadly while mum bowed her head slightly feeling sad. "He shouldn't hav----"

"Father...." Mum interrupted him, her eyes were swollen and red. She was bearing a lot after losing him, remembering him will only make things worse. "I am fine without him, I have nothing to do with that family.....anymore." Grandfather was mute, I was just gazing at them quietly. Mum started sniffling and eventually dabbed the tears off her eyes with a handkerchief. She always kept an handkerchief with her in case she was in tears. And now, it is needed urgently.

Later after the video call, I entered my room and sat on my swivel chair with a deep sigh, I had a rough day today especially when grandfather talked to me and mum. Now mum has been crying for a while now without stepping out of her room after the video call. She was supposed to enjoy her day after work but now, father's name being mentioned has ruined everything. Mum and I just prayed maghrib some minutes ago....that was the only time mum came out of her room, Mrs Lilian also left some minutes ago. So I decided to check my blog in my laptop as always. I was still clicking on the mouse until the page started loading. I reclined my back onto the chair as I waited for the page to load. Then I saw new posts from my followers, I scrolled down while scanning through the blogs quickly. I stopped after seeing a strange post, then I adjusted my glasses trying to see the post clearly. The blog caught my attention, I read: what is your view about Jesus, isn't he the son of God?

I was mute for a while, my lips completely sealed. What is this?

I checked for the name of the account, it was Matthew Lucas.

I was quiet for a while, then I decided to reply his blog. Jesus is not God nor is he the real savior. He has a higher authority over him who gave him the power that he used to heal and help the people in his lifetime. He always said that his father was the only God to be worshipped, he also worships God so all Glory belong to.....God. God being called his father doesn't mean that He is really his father. He is his Lord and him the servant, he is a servant of God. 

[Q4:171]
"O my people, don't exceed your limits in thy religion. The Messiah Isa is no more than a messenger of God and His words, whom He bestowed on Mary...."

To me, he was just sent to simply preach the gospel and he was blessed with some special gifts from God while doing his works in his lifetime. Didn't you notice that he always prayed before doing anything? The wine, he prayed to his Lord before it was turned from water to wine. Even Lazarus being awoken after death, he prayed to His Lord for He has the power to do all things, not him. He is merely a servant just like you and me but he was specially chosen by God not as His son or family member. They thought that they had killed Jesus by crucifying him, not knowing that God had raised him up unto Himself.

[Q4:157&158]
"They said we killed Jesus Christ, the son of Mary. But they didn't kill him nor crucify him. Only a likeness of it was shown to them, of surety they killed him not. He raised him up to Himself."

I had to clarify his thoughts about Jesus, so that he will be able to differentiate between God and man. I typed some words into the comment section and uploaded it to reply his blog. Then I rested back to the chair with a slight smile. If you want to find out about the verses that talks about Jesus, check Surah Imran and Surah Maryam. His name was mentioned mostly in those surahs. As I researched about the true story of Muhammad SAW being in the bible, I later discovered the verse that explains it.....in the bible! This means that the coming of the Islamic prophet was true, Muhammad SAW just revealed the Quran in another language(Arabic) to the entire world.

The next day, it's a Monday, the starting of another week. It's morning and I just finished my breakfast and I was in a hurry as I picked some books from the bookshelf in my room. Then I tucked them into my bag in a haste which I placed onto the swivel chair. My eye then catches a glimpse of the house next door, I paused and I stood upright with my eyes gazing at the house gradually. I was lost as I stared more at the house, then the girl who i always saw....came out again. She was wearing a schoolbag while running to the car parked in front of the house....the same car that our neighbor was driving that day. The same neighbor who almost got my mum killed. The man came out of the house, the neighbor. Suddenly, I saw the mysterious guy, the one who happens to be my subject....my target. He walked out of the house slowly like in slow-mo. The slow steps he took were all imagined in my head, he was striding out of the house normally haha. I had to snap out of it by blinking my eyes twice. As I wanted to see his face again, at least for the first time. I got interrupted....again! "Taliha!" A voice called, then I groaned softly after hearing my name. Mum was calling my name, she will eventually come to my room soon if I don't come downstairs. Before I turned back to the window, the guy entered the vehicle with the other family members.

Gossssh, I missed him....again!

I cried softly with a grimace as the car drove away, then I had to pick up my bag and head out of the room to go to school. I came out of a taxi with my mum inside. I held my bag in one hand and my phone in the other hand. "Goodbye mum!" I waved as I walked to the pavement near the school gate, then mum pulls out her hand waving back at me. As I wore my bag properly, the taxi drove away and I just watched it move across the street. I faced the gate after a while with my head slightly down.

This is it....I really wonder what this week has in store for us.

I sighed deeply before I took a step forward into the undergraduate buildings, my department to be precise. Later, I got to my lecture hall and I noticed that the lecture hall was filled with a few students. I was looking at them awkwardly because I was confused.

What's going on here? Why is the hall slightly empty?

I finally found a seat at the front row with my eyes zeroed at the students in the hall. Most of them were chattering and talking about hot topics or their usual conversations. Only a few were studying their books in the hall. This could only mean one thing.....no lecture today.

"Geez dude, I am so happy that the lecturers are holding a meeting at the moment." One student said who sat behind me, he was talking to his friends. I could hear him properly so I couldn't resist.

"Who won't be happy about it?"

"I guess we are having a free day....once again!"

"I know right?"

They bursted into laughter and I just opened my bag to bring out a book to study.

Great, no classes today.

"Do you guys want to play volleyball by 2pm?"

"Sure dude, let's go to the cafe and grab something to eat first."

"Yeah, come on."

The boys stood up and they left the hall the next minute, I was just watching them secretly until they left the hall. I decided to keep myself busy with my books, I prefer reading them than wasting my time doing nothing. After a few hours, I was walking through the hallway with my headphones blocking my ears from the whispers of the students, I was still slurping the juice container in my hand. Students were looking at me from both corners, well I didn't care....as always. I had little makeup on my face, the normal powder and nude lipstick as well. I am a fashionable type but I had to remember about the islamic rules of dressing. I decided to reduce the volume of the song I was hearing.

"Welcome to the announcement of the DCSST for this year's volleyball game!"

My steps slowed after hearing that statement, someone was declaring something loudly.

Hey what's going on?

I looked forward and I saw students walking towards a large hall, we call it the department hall. The general hall used for announcements and events only accessible to the students of the department. I decided to check out what's going on as I pulled my headphones down to my neck. I stood at the back of the crowd after dipping the cup into the garbage can at the left. The hall was full and people were standing outside the hall. I wanted to squeeze myself through the crowd but I noticed that the crowd was filled with majors, the seniors!. I froze instantly finding it hard to move further, I can't get into trouble with them.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's here again....the biggest sport competition is back in our Department!" A young man in yellow t-shirt said with a microphone, he was standing with some group of men on a podium with the students surrounding him from all corners, even me....

"Today, I am announcing the students who are selected for this year's volleyball game. They are the selected players for the DCSST."

He added and the students started clapping loudly. "Oh my gosh, I have been waiting for this moment!" One girl mentioned in front of me, she had glasses on and she wore corporate clothes....formal dresses to be precise. It's a thing for the matured seniors. The bloke beside her said in a deep voice, "How are you sure that you are among the selected players Katelyn." She scoffs with folded arms, "You will see...."

My mind wasn't on the speech though, I was struggling with the abbreviated word he said. DCSST....what does it mean? After a while, I saw the logo on the wall. I read it: Department of Chemistry Students Sports Team. I honestly had no idea of what he was talking about, every word he said was so unclear. So I felt that the announcement was a thing for the seniors so I shouldn't interfer. I decided to leave the hall since I didn't find any solid reason to be there.

I wish Halimah was here....

Truly, Halimah is the only one who can help me out. She knows almost everything done in the school, she could have explained everything in details but....she isn't here. As I tried to move back to exit the hall, I bumped into someone. I looked up and I discovered that it was a familiar face.

I gasped, "Halimah?"

"Taliha!" She said with a broad smile, we hugged tightly even with the crowd around us. Then I smiled, now she is here with me.....

"So tell me Halimah, why are you here?"

"You mean this hall? Well, I want to hear the names of the selected players for the volleyball game."

"Oh really."

"Yes."

"What's the reason for the game though? Why are they only seniors here?"

"Well, the game is a competition between different departments. Certain players are picked for the game and the winning teams get a reward."

"Oh