The Essence Of The Darkness
Episode 51: Tears

Elana's body, which had been dried and replaced by thick warm clothes by Akram himself, lay on the bed of Akram's room. His eyes were tightly closed and his body was curled up inside the thick blanket that was wrapped by Akram to his body. The room temperature was kept warm, very opposite to the air out there that was getting colder due to heavy rain that did not stop.

Even so, Elana's condition was very contrary to the warm air temperature in the room, her body still shivered with teeth clashing against each other to resist freezing. His eyes docked, while his forehead wrinkled, resisting the freezing coldness that flowed within his veins.

Elana's consciousness is still foggy. However, after Akram brought her back to the apartment, the darkness that surrounded Elana gradually faded, so that she could hear and understand what was happening around her faintly.

Doctor Nathan arrives just then as they enter the apartment. The man immediately checked on Elana and took a blood sample for a toxin test that was immediately sent by Akram's men to a special laboratory owned by Akram. With the high technology in that lab, they would get the results less than an hour later.

Even without seeing the results of the blood test, it can be seen that the effect of the poison injected by Xavier into Elana's body is to make Elana's body temperature cools quickly to make her shiver. That was in line with Nathan's initial diagnosis, which stated that Elana was suffering from fatal hypothermia which lowered Elana's body temperature very quickly, making her feel the torment of freezing cold.

Nathan's doctor has arranged for a digital device to monitor the signs of Elana's life to be installed in her body, especially to monitor Elana's heart rate, pulse and respiratory system. Infusion of warm salt water is also flowed into the body of Elana, as one way to keep the blood in the veins stay warm. In addition, oxygen masks are installed to drain the oxygen that is humidified, so it can warm the airways and help increase Elana body temperature.

Meanwhile, Akram uses all means to keep Elana warm according to the instructions of Nathan's doctor. Next to Elana lies a thermos of hot drinks that are continuously poured for him to keep his digestive flow warm. Elana is of course dressed in thick clothes and a quilted blanket, wrapping her body to keep her temperature awake.

After a few hours Elana suffered with a shivering body, with treatment from Nathan, Elana's condition could eventually change slightly. Her body's bite had diminished and the woman's short breath had turned smooth, accompanied by her tightly closed eyes as if she was drowning in a deep sleep.

Akram sat by Elana's bedside, stroking her hair while her forehead creased deeply and her expression seemed to be in pain, as if she felt the same pain as Elana.

"He's calmer now .. will this last long?" he asked in a worried voice.

Nathan shook his thin head, his face looking just as grim as Akram's.

"For now, all we have to do is keep his body temperature warm" Nathan rereads the toxin test and Elana's blood test. Free. The poison injected by Xavier into Elana is a new type of poison that is not easily detected, only the effect is visible in plain sight.

Xavier is engaged in the underground business that specifically creates the latest findings for biological weapons and types of deadly toxins that can be injected directly or loaded on bullets, explosives and various weapons that will give fatal consequences for the enemy on the battlefield. However, Nathan never once thought that Xavier would use one of these poisons for his personal gain.

"The poison caused Elana's body to lose heat faster than her body's ability to produce heat, which is why Elana's body temperature decreased to a very low point. The normal body temperature of humans is about 37 degrees Celsius, while the body temperature of Elana had reached below 35 degrees Celsius and continued to decline. Hypothermia is very dangerous because it can make the heart, nervous system, and other organs can not work normally. If mishandled, hypothermia can eventually lead to heart failure, respiratory system, even death" Nathan revealed his medical explanation with a long sigh. "Lucky for now we have managed to keep Elana's body temperature at least in the line of the normal minimum limit. However, the danger is still not missed because we do not know when the poison will reactivate and how strong this poison will attack the next time."

"Can't you figure out a way to create this antidote?" Akram felt pain in his heart when he imagined the possibility of Elana having to experience again the pain of cold shivering bones like that.

Nathan took a long breath. "Even in your most sophisticated laboratory with the best scientists, to find the antidote to a poison, takes years of research. We have to examine the poison specifically, map out the type and then do an experiment that might take a long time to find a really suitable antidote. Because, wrongly, instead of healing, we can cause complications that even make things worse if the antidote is made carelessly."

Nathan watched Elana who seemed to be asleep quietly with a sorry look. "In the meantime, I still don't know what about this new kind of poison. In my initial analysis, this toxin prompted dysfunction of the thyroid and pituitary adrenals that causes metabolic disorders and makes the basal metabolic rate lower. This results in less internal heat and lowers the body temperature to fatal hypothermia" Nathan grins his nose with regret. "This is the only medical action I can take to keep Elana's body temperature from dropping more than it should..."

"What if the poison attack appeared even stronger so that this whole method was useless?" akram is not satisfied with the way out of Nathan.

"I can do the blood-warming method with a hemodialysis machine. Take blood, warm it up and then circulate into the body with the help of the washing machine. A heart replacement machine may also have to be installed and also, I'll drain the warm saltwater solution to vital places like Elana's lungs and abdominal cavity using a catheter inserted into the body" Nathan grimaced as if enduring pain. "But, if it wasn't for the critical condition, I wouldn't have done it, because that method would have hurt Elana a lot, more than now,"

Akram bent his body in despair. His elbows rested on his knees while his hands moved squeezing his ramblings. Nathan's medical explanations give him no bright spot, frustrating him even more.

"What am I supposed to do?" akram's desperate cries intertwined with his weary voice.

"I think we should humble ourselves and compromise with Xavier, Akram. We have to be prepared for whatever happens when Xavier calls later for negotiations on the antidote. I will still not give up and use all my efforts to find an antidote for this poison. But, if what Xavier says is true, that Elana's time for antidote is only seven days, then this time, we're chasing time and risking Elana's life,"

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Akram lay on his side and drowned Elana's body in his arms. A thick blanket wrapped the two, while Akram held Elana as tightly as possible, trying to distribute her body heat to keep Elana's body temperature from falling again.

Several times Elana changed position because of discomfort, and Akram was the one who kept the flow of the infusion to Elana's body, as well as the cable connecting to the woman's vital signs detection machine, was not disturbed. In fact, he was currently hugging Elana very carefully.

Early morning came and Akram still could not close his eyes. His mind was still turbulent, looking for the fastest way to save Elana. He has ordered Elios to track down the location of Xavier's biological weapons factory and plot to mount a massive attack on it to find an antidote for Elana.

Unfortunately, Xavier was indeed very slippery and cunning. His genius blends perfectly with his evil nature until the man is very difficult to defeat. Of course, a very important place like his weapon factory, was hidden its location very expertly. Until this moment, Elios who usually never fails in carrying out any task, made so difficult. The span of time had already passed for a long time, but Elios still had not found a bright spot at all.

Elana's breathing sounded short and her eyes blinked slowly. Then, his weak voice sounded, making Akram immediately exert all his attention to the woman.

"Acram?" call him with misty eyes, as if his consciousness is not yet fully intact.

Akram's heart was squeezed when he saw how pale Elana's lips were. He immediately lowered his head and rubbed his lips against Elana's cold lips, trying to drain a beam of warmth there.

"Yes Elana? What do you need? You cold? Or do you want a hot drink?" Akram gives a series of questions quickly, wanting to work out whatever he can to make Elana feel comfortable.

Elana shook her head slowly, then the woman pressed herself against Akram's body, drowning her face in the warmth of Akram's open chest. Aroma Akram which is a blend of fragrant sandalwood and mint surrounds it, making Elana feel so comfortable and want more attached to the body of Akram.

".... hug..," he murmured indistinctly as he pressed his cheek against Akram's chest.

For a moment Akram froze, shocked because this was the first time Elana moved to embrace him willingly, spoiling him without being forced. Then, Akram realized that it was all because Elana was half-conscious and a smile full of irony appeared on her lips.

Elana couldn't have done this if she was conscious.

Akram thinned his lips, not knowing whether he should feel happy or sad. The head of Elana pecked while her hands were embracing the woman getting closer.

"Sleep, baby," he whispered in a raucous voice.

Unexpectedly, Elana even raised her head, looking at Akram like she was dreaming.

Akram frowned. Nathan has said that hypothermia will cause patients to have difficulty reaching their full consciousness, sometimes they are like being in a dream, sometimes hallucinating and sometimes a little bit of raving, he said, talking about things he might not remember when his consciousness was full.

Is Elana experiencing the third symptom?

"Because I wanted to call you that. Sleep Elana," Akram answered quickly, trying to end the conversation so that Elana could go to sleep and rest.

But, even in the midst of her semi-conscious state, Elana was still so stubborn. The woman did not want to give up, still looked up at Akram with wrinkles on his forehead that deepened.

"Is it because you love me?" elana concluded without permission

A red hue flashed across Akram's high cheekbones as the man turned his gaze.

"Maybe. Now go to sleep," he said quickly.

Elana seemed to think, then shook her head weakly.

"Ah, you can't love me!" the conclusion was quick, breaking his own previous sentence.

Akram immediately lowered his head back to stare at Elana while his lips were unable to resist asking.

"Why do you think that?"

Elana returned Akram's sharp gaze with a look of eyes.

"Because you're so mean to me. You're rough, fierce, sniffy and sharp-mouthed. You too.... often force intimate things in places that are not supposed to. when," this time it was Elana's turn to turn red when she spoke. "And you .. never said love to me. Even Xavier said that to you I was just a woman who could give you satisfying sex in bed. She humbled me like a whore, so I slapped her..."

"You slapped Xavier?" Akram almost exclaimed in surprise. Akram was convinced that not a single woman had ever slapped Xavier before. Elana really has the courage to do that to that crazy psychopath.

"She kept spying on me. And she was spying on you too so I slapped her to make her stop talking. Besides, I defended you when he was vilifying you, too,"

"You're defending me?" Akram starts to feel silly as he keeps parroting Elana's sentences. But, really, this half-conscious Elana was so appealing to her heart. Usually this woman always held herself in front of him, so when Elana seemed unable to close her mouth, Akram was really tempted to pry as much information as possible.

"You're evil, but sometimes there's a good side to you" Elana stammered. "Even though you don't love me, you gave me delicious and expensive food that I wouldn't be able to afford on my own, you also gave me a job, and also a very comfortable shelter, I can sleep in a very soft and slick bed with a beautiful dream on it. You know, I've never slept with a goose down mattress before. My mattress in the orphanage was so hard that at certain times we had to hang it under the heat of the sun in order to be a little soft. My mattress in the rented house used to be made of hard foam that can not be saved anymore. Anyway, besides your food, I like your mattress the most!" elana said in a innocent tone without sin.

Akram frowned at the words of Elana, once again feeling her heart as if squeezed to the point of pain.

She can give Elana anything. Anything! All the highest luxuries that women deserve to enjoy, can be accommodated for Elana. However, this simple woman was already so grateful for enough food to fill her stomach, as well as a comfortable bed for her to rest!

Even what Elana liked most was not herself but her food and mattress!

"I'll give you all kinds of delicious food if you get well later," Akram held back a smile, saying a promise while pecking at Elana's soft forehead. "Whatever I'll give you if you recover later." he whispered in a hoarse voice.

"You promise good food? Don't-don't.. You really love me, huh?" elana's eyes sparkled like a child getting her first gift on her birthday.

Akram does not know Elana is having fun because she was promised food, or because her guess about Akram who loves her is almost right. But, seeing Elana's fondness for food, it seems Elana's happiness is more sourced from Akram who promises her delicious food.

Akram smiled wryly. Wearing children hair on Elana's forehead gently. "I haven't fucked another woman since I was with you. I am patient with all your stubbornness, your rebellion and your defiance. I've always worried about you to the point of dying. I'd even be willing to do everything for you.... How could I not love you then?" Akram decides to answer honestly, knowing that maybe in the morning, Elana will not remember him.

Elana's eyes dimmed later, making Akram feel anxious. Before she could ask, suddenly Elana moved her hand free from the infusion hose and touched Akram's cheek.

"Am I going to die?" slowly tanyanya.

Akram's expression immediately darkened. While his forehead was deep. "No. You're not gonna die, Elana. I won't let it," break it fast.

Elana smiled gently, then moved her finger to rub the frown on Akram's forehead.

"You're always frowning you. But lately, I've seen you smile more, as if you were happy," Elana's fingers moved rubbing Akram's lips thinning. "Even if I can't be around you anymore, keep smiling, Akram. You may look evil and cruel on the outside, but I know you keep good in your soul. You treat thousands of your employees and your men fairly, you prosper them and I'm sure that even if they're afraid of you, they pray for you and love you anyway,"

Elana's voice weakened as her consciousness slowly disappeared back. "If I die, you should know that I forgive you. All the cruel things you've done to me in the past, have been avenged by your kind attitude towards me. You have no more burden.... So, always be happy, Akram, smile a lot and throw away your angry attitude. I. I will always pray that you may be happy.." Elana's last words were almost inaudible because she closed her eyes again, asleep in real unconsciousness.

Meanwhile, Akram was glued with a pushy look. His chest was stirred by various mixed feelings when he listened to Elana's expression to him. Slowly, half in despair, Elana's unconscious shoulder shook.

"You're not going to die, Elana! You hear me? I won't let you die!" akram's voice was blocked by the emotion that stifled his breath. "Don't try to die without my permission, Elana. I told you that you were mine. I wouldn't.." this time Akram's voice was completely gone and the man was speechless.

Her arms wrapped around Elana's body tightly, while her face was sunk into Elana's soft hair, hiding tears flowing unstoppably from her wet eyes.

Akram Night was educated to become a steel-material figure in order to continue the success of the powerful Night family. In childhood, he did not cry when his beloved pet was killed by Xavier, even when he had to give in when Xavier took the toys and objects he liked without anyone being able to stop. When her first love is cruelly snatched away, Akram manages to hold her heart back from shedding a single tear. In fact, when both of her very loving parents died in an accident, Akram was still able to be tough, with no crying at all, she immediately took over the responsibility left by her father, who was not her father, then managed to achieve success with a resounding. His heart is protected by a hard coating, which keeps it from getting hurt easily.

But now, this tiny, simple woman in her embrace had unexpectedly managed to smash Akram's protective layer to pieces, touching her fragile side, softening her soul, she said, until his tears could not be contained anymore.

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