Play In Darkness (Eng/END)

52. What Doesnt Kill You Makes You Stronger

The sun came to provide new light after a dark night with a tense atmosphere.

Not a single camp officer slept until early morning. They patrolled, tightened surveillance on the refugees, and partly arranged the bodies to be brought to ND City.

Helicopters from the main base arrive to transport the bodies. Delisha took part in the trip. Five hours of flight, they arrived in City ND. The bodies of Imdad and the camp officials who died in the attack at that time were handed over to the hospital for autopsy and cleaning. They will be taken to a funeral home later. Meanwhile, the bodies of Aftab, Janwar, and three other intruders are still being held forensically for investigation purposes. Vijay and Sunil take care of it.

While at Imdad's residence, the surrounding community and people in the house had prepared everything for funeral needs. In the car on the way to Imdad's residence, Delisha was anxious about what to do when she got home. What should she say to Rani and Aunty?

At noon, Delisha arrived at Imdad's residence. Many residents gathered at the house, along with Xin India helpers and employees, some of Imdad's friends, including Doctor Zaara were also present. They wear all white clothes. Women wearing white robes and scarves cover their heads, while men wear white kurtas and white cloth tied around their heads.

The smell of incense spreads in the air, tents are set up in the courtyard, and chairs lined up for guests to sit down. Many of the people were sobbing and their faces were swollen with grief. They recite devotions. The atmosphere at Imdad's house this time was filled with sobs and solemn prayers.

Doctor Zaara wanted to hug Delisha to express her sorrow for losing Imdad, but Aunty preceded her.

"Oohh, my son ..." wailed Aunty, hugging Delisha who had just stepped in the front door of the house. The woman was crying hysterically while shaking Delisha's body. "Why does Raj have to die? Why? Tell me this is not true! Raj is still alive, right? Raj can't possibly die, he is still very young. I am the old one who should go first, not Raj ...." Women around them cry too.

Delisha thought she was going to cry with Aunty too but apparently, she was still strong enough to endure. She patted Aunty on the shoulder, trying to calm her down. "Never mind, Aunty, be patient, we leave everything to those above ...." Aunty's cries grew louder and at once the old woman fell silent and then fell unconscious. The people who saw it screamed.

Aunty's body was brought to the couch in the living room and laid down. Delisha felt for the pulse on Aunty's hand. The old body seemed to be twitching with convulsions. Aunt's heartbeat was too fast, causing her to have high blood pressure. Delisha immediately took out a sterile needle and used it to prick the tips of Aunty's fingers so that a drop of blood flowed out of the puncture mark. She also made the same puncture into Aunt's toes. It helps lower her blood pressure. Next, Delisha examined Aunty's chest, undressed the area, and put in some acupuncture needles to open up blood flow to the heart. One blood vessel near Aunty's heart was narrowed due to a buildup of cholesterol. She hoped that Aunty could survive with her current health condition. Delisha could see that Aunty was still a few months old until the time of her death.

After Aunty seemed calmer and breathed regularly, her consciousness began to recover. The woman lay weak and started sobbing. A maid accompanied her by her side. "Where's Rani?" Delisha asked the maid.

"Miss Rani in her room, Miss. She doesn't seem to understand what happened. She was busy playing in the room."

Delisha nodded in relief at that. She went to her room to wash up and change clothes. The sweat felt thick from being cleaned only briefly at the camp.

Maya who was in the room greeted her. "Imdad Hussain is dead? Who killed him?" The ghost blazed.

"Aftab," Delisha replied, taking off her military T-shirt and pants. She threw the thing in the basket.

"Aftab? Devdas' man?" Maya was flabbergasted. "Uh, I know something's wrong with those men. Neither of them is sane."

Delisha glared sharply at her. Even the boss is insane, let alone his subordinates.

"How was it at home while I was away?" asked Delisha.

"Fine, Rani is safe, because I take care of her. Spirits seem happy with the child. Many astral try to attack her. I think if the chakra is opened, she will be like you."

"Oh, ya? I suppose it is better if she does not have the abilities like me or she will have bad luck in love." Delisha said while taking a towel and going into the bathroom.

"Why do you say that?" Argued Maya as she escorted her into the bathroom, through the door. "Living in both worlds is good, you can relate to beings other than humans. Who knows your soul mate is a ghost or a genie or even an angel? You never know who you will fall in love with or who will fall in love with you."

Delisha was silent for a moment hearing that. She used to think like that, but now she knows that dealing with angels and other non-human beings is just as chaotic. She continued to take off her underwear and stood under the shower to take a shower. She glared at Maya's ghost.

Seeing that gaze, Maya knew what it meant. "Eh, if there's nothing more you need from me, I'll go," interrupted Maya. "This place smells of incense and prayers, makes me hot and nauseous with headaches. I need fresh air." In an instant, the ghost disappeared.

Delisha continued to bathe and clean her body thoroughly because she felt the blood was still sticking to her body. Devdas' blood and Imdad's blood. She imagined the last moment Imdad in her arms. It made the pain stab her chest again. Delisha's jaw tightened and her eyes turned sharp. This pain and loss should make her stronger.

Wearing a white robe and a white scarf over her damp hair, Delisha came out of the room. At the same time, a Xin India official notified the arrival of a representative from the Central Xin Corp waiting in the study. Delisha rushed into the study in the house and got there she was amazed to see the guest.

Richard Lee, his biological father.

Richard Lee was in Indonesia on some business when Central Xin informed him of the death of the CEO of Xin India. On his way to the residence of the CEO of Xin India, he just got a message from Kimberly, his boss's wife, about the identity of the woman he was going to meet. Kimberly never told him what she was planning to do. Not surprisingly, this woman is always full of surprises and doesn't hesitate to make him dizzy.

"Daddy!" exclaimed Delisha as she rushed to embrace her father and burst into tears.

"Oh, Delly, baby ...," exclaimed Richard softly. He held Delisha awkwardly. Richard is still used to his cute daughter who is currently 8 years old, and when he saw the adult version of the child, he became giddy. It feels like just yesterday the child was crying from a nightmare, now she is crying over the death of her lover.

After a while, they let go of their hugs and looked at each other. Richard's fingers wiped the remaining tears on Delisha's cheeks.

"Daddy, you're not much different from in the future," Delisha said, staring at the 40-year-old man.

"Oh, ya?" muttered Richard in surprise, "Maybe it's because I'm getting radiation from the Eternalum," he said happily, "making me look youthful." He was relieved to hear that because previously he was worried thinking that his current girlfriend is a future human too, who is 32 years younger than him.

"Daddy ...." Delisha whined again, hiding her face against her father's chest.

Richard hugged Delisha again and patted her shoulder, "It's okay, baby, I got you ...." She lifted her daughter's face and looked into her eyes. "You have to be strong, Delisha. Between missions and feelings sometimes don't go together, but you have to remember one thing, we make movement due to corporate interests. It will help you to be stronger and more focused on purpose."

Delisha nodded quickly and steadily. "I know, Daddy!"

"Good, Girl!" exclaimed Richard, stroking Delisha's hair between her scarf. Not forgetting he admired his daughter who grew up quickly and was very beautiful. "I came here not only to give you support but also to convey one thing. With the death of Imdad Hussain, the reins of Xin India are now up to you. Delisha Lee Andrews, from now on you are the CEO of Xin India!"

***

When Imdad Hussain's body arrived, hundreds of people welcomed him and they scrambled to lift the coffin. The flowers were sprinkled on the path that the coffin led into the house. Hundreds of fragrant flowers hung beside the corpse. The young man's face was exposed through the shroud that covered his entire body. Delisha glanced at him and felt a little relieved that the man looked peaceful as if he were fast asleep. If not completely pale, the man seemed still alive with a faint smile on his lips.

The mourners took one last look at Imdad. Many of them could not help crying, sobbing while reading their prayers. The aunt who was most devastated by Imdad's death was carried to the side of the man's body and sat beside his bier, weeping bitterly. Only Rani seemed happy to see Imdad and greet the man. "Hi, Raj, why are you going so long?" she asked. "See, right, you're tired and sleeping all the time," she scowled. She kissed the cold cheek of Imdad. "When you wake up, we play together again, huh?" She said then jogged while humming with her brown teddy bear.

The little girl approached Delisha and hugged her waist. "Marianne-ji, Raj says don't be sad. This is my doll, a gift from Raj. You can hug him if you are sad." Rani handed her teddy bear to Delisha's arms but Delisha refused. "Ah, no, honey, I don't need it. I'm an adult. Take this doll to play with you."

"OK!" exclaimed Rani while hugging her doll then leaving Delisha while humming cheerfully.

After completing various processions according to Islamic rules and Indian culture, Imdad's body was again carried in a coffin decorated with cloth and flower arrangements to the burial ground. Rani, Delisha, and Aunty accompanied the group carrying the coffin on their shoulders. The body was finally buried and a gravestone was placed on the ground to indicate where the body of a young and brave man was lying down. One by one people left the grave, as did Delisha and Rani and Aunty.

The darkness of the night crept up. The moon was shining bright. The atmosphere at the Imdad residence was boisterous as many people gathered, including Imdad's friends and Xin India employees. They will recite more prayers for the late Imdad. The female servants are busy making dishes to entertain these people.

Some of the guests took advantage of the moment to greet and chat. Richard and Delisha came out of the study and headed for the front door. Richard hugged Delisha goodbye because he had to leave. "As a father I can't do much in your situation, Delly, I can only wish you success and happiness. Good luck, my child!" said Richard and then kissed Delisha on the forehead.

"Thanks, Daddy!" said Delisha happily. His father's hugs and kisses always calmed him down.

"Richard Lee ..." said dr. Zaara who appears behind Richard.

Richard turned to stare at the woman in white clothe with squinted questioning eyes.

"Long time no see," continued Dr. Zaara. "You seem to get along well with the female agents of Xin Corp, huh, Richard." Dr. Zaara's eyes glanced meaningfully at Richard.

"Do I know you?"

Delisha hurriedly interrupted. "Umm, Daddy, this is Dr.Zaara, or maybe you know him as Veer Prataph Singh ..."

"Veer??" Richard's eyes widened at the woman in front of him. Meanwhile, Dr.Zaara's eyes widened when she heard Delisha mentioning Richard her father.

"Daddy?" repeated Dr.Zaara. It was astonishing to know that Richard, who was his age, already had children of Delisha's age. When did he make it? When he was 16 years old?

Richard held Delisha's shoulder to his chest. "Yes, that's right, Veer. Delisha is my daughter. My child with our July. July."

dr.Zaara gasped again. "July's child?" His gaze turned to Delisha and saw the woman's smile, she was sure what she was facing now was not a dream. "How could it be?" shook dr.Zaara

"Ehh, it's a long story," said Richard, patting Dr.Zaara on the shoulder. "What about you? What happened to make you change drastically like this?"

"It's a long story," replied Dr. Zaara without looking away from Delisha.

"Oh, okay!" said Richard, shrugging his shoulders. "Anyway, I have to go. Veer ... or Zaara, I beg you from now on, I entrust my daughter to you. Cooperate and help her to complete her mission."

"Oh," said Dr. Zaara, "all right, Richard, anything for you…."

"Alright, bye!" exclaimed Richard, waving at the two of them and then drove off in the Xin India pickup.

Dr.Zaara stared in amazement at Delisha. "My girl, it seems you have a lot to explain to me!" demanded dr.Zaara.

Delisha nodded at him. "That's right, dr. Zaara. Lots. Lots of them," she said and then invited dr. Zaara to Imdad Hussain's office which is now her office.

Delisha cleared the desk surface and opened a folding bag containing 4 dozen needles of various sizes neatly arranged. "I need these needles to be coated with a substance containing the antidote to black power. Gold, silver, and some kinds of plant and animal poison with very strong poison power. These needles will become my secret weapons.

"What I'm dealing with now is not just an ordinary human, but a man full of tricks and magical powers and sorcery. Not only that. He is also an immortal."

Dr.Zaara gasped and her face turned white. "Devdas Star Tailes?"

"No," Delisha replied quickly.

"Who is it, then?"

"I don't know," Delisha replied again, "obviously that person is always watching Devdas' behavior, and to find out, I have to be by Devdas' side."

dr.Zaara was silent for a while then he met Delisha's eyes. The woman grabbed her arm and pleaded with sparkling eyes. "Dr.Zaara ... I want to be the wife of Devdas Star Tailes."