Aliyah's POV

           It is  around 12:30 pm people were tired after spending almost twenty eight hours in a train , there's less noise compared to last night and to be honest I thank God I can finally breathe , It's have been two days now since the last time I sleep I couldn't afford the luxury of taking a nap and get everything stolen , Today's Turkey isn't that of 1923 when people were honest and trustworthy  , My grandma insist so many times to be careful since it's my first time travelling alone to and more important it is the big city, but I wasn't afraid that much I'm smartest among my peers in my hometown town , who would notice that I'm a country pumpkin? I was over the moon when I got excepted into Instanbul university , I couldn't think about anything thing else but it, The founder was mehmed II but I love his nick name more they call him mehmed the conqueror he is the great man, He had a strong interest in ancient Greek and Eastern roman empireHis heroes were Achilles and Alexander the Great and he could discuss Christian religion with some authority He was reputed to be fluent in several language as well , To  others he is the hero and a good role model but to me he is my life saver and the only person who gives me the purpose of life, I was deep into my own world of thoughts when I heard loud noises

" what is happening?" I asked a young lad who sit Infront me

" I think we in Instanbul already, it will take half an hour to reach the station so everyone is preparing" he said in calm voice , from the start of our journey we didn't talk to each other I don't know why I asked him that question maybe it because I was startled, I don't want to get close to people and get scammed I can't risk anything I'm poor enough already

" Thank you" I say I a cold tone I hope he won't try to make more conversation

" Is this your first time in Instanbul?" he was asking while staring at me so I stare him back and reply to loud and more serious tone

"No"

"Are you a student? "

"No"

"Where are you working at?" I didn't say anything because I was starting to get pissed

"okay, fine it seem like you don't like me , I'm heartbroken because I really like to be your friend" he smirk

         He doesn't look like a bad person but it is too early for me to get attached to anyone right now and I don't want to make a rush decisions that will cost me while I can avoid all the troubles by keeping my mouth shut , I lay back on my seat and look outside through the window, Instanbul is indeed a big city it worthy all the praise I heard back in my hometown , large buildings there are beautiful horse carriages in most places and few car which non of these are there at our small villages , everyone is busy and there's a lot of activities going on , No wonder many people want to move here even the newspaper are sold on streets I was busy admiring the beauty of the city but something caught my eye it's was a picture of a beautiful woman, she was very beautiful and her picture was in a big frame I never saw in my life and there were words in the picture written in big latter's  " THE GODDESS OF INSTANBUL" I was wondering who is she? what takes her to be named goddess of this big city?  she indeed beautiful but if that's the case I'm beautiful too and smart as an additional points , what is so special that makes her stand out of all the women here? can I one day be like her?  when I keep wondering about the woman in a poster someone touch my shoulder and that brings me back to the train

" I think we are here nice to meet you , and even if you don't want to be my friend can I get a honor to get to know your name? 

"you are surely stubborn, ain't you?" he didn't reply and give he me a little smile which makes him look a little more  cutter I smile back at him the I take my backpack and briefcase I take few steps ahead of him and look back at him

" Aliyah, Aliyah Jamal , I hope to never see you again"I didn't wait for his reply or even ask for his name I rush to get out the train and go directly to the waiting area my cousin was the one who will be coming to pick me up it's have been five years since we last saw each other, I send letter a week before that I will be arriving today I didn't get a reply but I hope she will come in time to pick me up , I went straight to the corner where it's easy for me to see people who are coming inside the station but isn't easy for a person to notice my existence, I don't want to attract any unnecessary attention , I waited for an hour and because of the long tiring journey I start to fell asleep I stand up and jump few times and wait but it is getting darker and darker I was so tired to move and every part of my body is itching I stand up and I hear a my bones cracking I pick up bags and went directly to the guard

" How are you sir!"

"what is it ?" He asked in a very serious tone while busy trying to light up his cigarette he didn't even spare me a glance

" I'm sorry for disturbing you, but can you tell me where is  the nearest inn is located?" I asked and i tried to smile a little , He looked at me up and down the he clear his throat

"Are you new here?" This jerk instead of answering my question he asked me a question, I couldn't say it loud though

"you see it have been four years since the last time I visit Instanbul , everything is different from back then, I hope you will help me please sir? I lied , I'm not sure if he will buy it but I'm praying that he won't discover that I'm a country pumpkin it will be over for me

" you have very bad luck young lady it's already dark the nearest inn is still far from here and you won't get carriage at this hour"

" there is no other alternative, sir?"

" you can sleep in the waiting area there are people there " I didn't say anything more I thank him and went back to my corner and hug my bags tightly, I don't know what gotten into that cousin of mine but for some reason I want to believe that she didn't receive my latter on time , I look around there are few people and all of them are sleeping there is nothing suspicious so I let my guard down and try to take a nap maybe someone will come the other day to pick me up

         The loud noises at the train station woke me up, I didn't believe I overslept I guess I was very tired I stand up and jump few times but then I remember my bag, it wasn't there , All of them  are gone I tried to look around the people who sleep here last night but the station is already flooded with people but then I remember there was a guard so I went to the gate but he wasn't there luckily there were other two guards this morning

"Good morning!"

"Good morning, may I help you?" the one who looks like the leader asked me, he was very tall with a  serious face but his voice is calm and friendly

"have you seen the night watchman?" they glare at each other then they look back at me, I don't know what that mean but I'm trying to control my temper and not to be so negative

"madam, maybe you are mistaken there is no any night watchman the only guard here is me and my fellow here we don't guard at night" when he finishes his sentence tears were rolling down on my cheeks this is so unfair the moment I step my foot here everything thing starts to go wrong what did my ancestors did for me to deserve such punishment

"madam you cant cry here, we need to work here don't be the hindrance please"

" what? I'm not allowed to cry? it's my tears?

"I'm sorry but you have to leave"

" okay it's fine but can you give me the direction of Instanbul university?"

" you won't make it by foot it's too far so forget it"

        I just asked for direction and he says I won't make it as if he knows me

" Are you going to Instanbul university as well?" a beautiful lady in the car spoke I turned around to see if it's me she's taking to or it's somebody else

"Yes" I answered

" ooh! hope in we can go there together" she says and give me a warm smile, I had no time to refuse a man open the door for me and I sat besides the girl I don't even know