"Business Tycoon found dead"

India's top most business tycoon and the most eligible bachelor Arjun Singh Oberoi was found dead in the Mall road with his car irretrievably damaged. The accident was reported to the nearby police station in the wee hours of this morning and police rushed to the scene immediately. The car, very much like other cars of Mr. Oberoi, was registered with the number 1206, which marks the deceased tycoon's birthday. Owing to collapsed form of the body and face, doctors were immediately rushed to the place and a DNA test was conducted to certify that it was Mr.Oberoi indeed. The Oberoi family was contacted without delay. Arjun Singh Oberoi's brother Akash Singh Oberoi later spoke to the press revealing that the accident was unfortunate and the family is in great shock. He also requested people to sympathise their loss and give them required space. One of the on lookers of the accident reported that the car toggled between lanes as if the driver was struggling to get control before which the car crashed into the post lamp and toppled over. Was it indeed an accident or assassination? We at News Times will keep you updated with all the latest progress of Arjun Singh Oberoi's case.

"The Glowing Pyre"

Arjun Singh Oberoi (30) passed away in a fatal accident a day ago in Delhi and his family conducted his last rituals in their ancestral home, Oberoi Mansion. Arjun Singh Oberoi's brother Akash Singh Oberoi, mother Aruna Singh Oberoi, Grandmother Kalyani Singh Oberoi were present. Apart from that top business tycoons from through and across the country, many bollywood celebrities and sports icons were also present to mourn the tycoon's death. "It is heart wrenching", said Mr.Raghav Arora, Arjun Singh Oberoi's childhood friend and business associate. "He was such a good friend and a great support", said Ms.Tia Tandon, Mr. Oberoi's alleged girlfriend. However, Oberoi family maintained a close lip when facing media. Though media was not allowed to witness the lighting of the pyre, an insider whispered that Mr.Akash Singh Oberoi performed the last rituals of his brother.

"Sibling Rivalry "

Not more than 30 hours passed since Tycoon Arjun Singh Oberoi's death and his family is already making visits to lawyer's office. Yesterday evening, just few hours after Arjun Singh Oberoi's rites, his mother (Aruna) and grandmother (Kalyani) were spotted at their family lawyer Mr.Aditya Shinde's office at different times. Later that night, Akash, was seen having dinner with Mr.Shinde in one of the restaurants owned by the Oberois. More than once reports made rounds in the media about how the Oberoi brothers were at loggerheads. For people who are unaware of the Oberoi family history, let us break it to you that Akash Singh Oberoi and Arjun Singh Oberoi are step brothers. Mr. (Late) Aravind Singh Oberoi married Aruna Singh Oberoi (Arjun's mother) after his first wife Raveena Singh Oberoi (Akash's mother) left the world. Akash Singh Oberoi and Arjun Singh Oberoi were never spotted together and the brothers usually avoided questions about each other. So, is it only accident that Mr.Akash Singh Oberoi had dinner with their lawyer right after his brother's demise? Does the death have anything to do with the sibling rivalry? Only time will answer that question. However, we suspect that 700 crores of Oberoi wealth definitely has something to do with the death.

Akash put down the papers on the table as he walked towards the glass windows in his office that overlooks the city. It has been two days since the dreadful incident and media was still hovering around his office building. He wondered if they already knew that Arjun's will is to be read tomorrow. Life is not easy for a millionaire, not when he is alive or when he is dead. He closed the blinds and welcomed the darkness that followed. He poured himself a glass of whisky and leaned back on the leather couch in his cabin reserved for clients.

How difficult is it to cry over a dead family member? Akash closed his eyes wondering when the tears will fall. He didn't cry when he saw his brother's body crushed in the car. He didn't cry when he signed to receive his brother's body after autopsy. He didn't cry when he lit the pyre. He didn't cry when he passed his brother's empty room this morning. It was true that they were not close. But Akash knew Arjun ever since the latter was born, for 30 long years. Isn't enough to make a human cry on someone's death?

Will he ever cry?

Akash Singh Oberoi looked at the news papers once again. The reporter very sneakily pointed out that he might be his brother's killer. How convenient it is for the media to spin tales on sibling rivalry, especially when the siblings shared only one parent and of course when money was involved. He and Arjun were definitely not epitomes of brotherly love but they weren't one of those brothers ready to drink blood from each other's throat. It was as if the whole world conspired to separate the brothers from one another, not now but from childhood.

"The Case"

Can anyone be killed by being cut by the sharp edges of a paper? No? What if that paper was a note of two thousand rupees? Will that slay a person? Dear readers, perhaps, Sanjeev Dheer, infamous real estate shark and Arjun Singh Oberoi's maternal uncle, will be able to tell you the answer. Sanjeev Dheer recently registered a complaint with the commissioner of police regarding his nephew's accident. "Blood may be thicker than water but at the end of the day we need water to quench thirst not blood. Maybe he was just thirsty." Mr.Dheer replied when questioned about his nephew's murder suspect. Although Mr.Dheer had nothing more to share with the media when he came out of the commissioner's office after 60 long minutes, we believe that the arrows were only directly aimed at Akash Singh Oberoi.

Gauri looked at her boss as she completed reading the last of the newspapers that had published news about Oberois that day. Her boss, Akash Singh Oberoi, was deeply involved in looking at a file in his hand but she was sure that he had listened to every word she just read. Their little session of newspaper reading started the day after his step brother died and one more work of collecting news that even had small mention of Oberois was added to her agenda. Gauri patiently waited for her boss to give his nod for her to leave.

Akash read the last lines of the file before closing it and placing it on his table. He lifted his head to look at his secretary who has off late picked up to wearing melancholy coloured clothes as if she was trying to empathise with his mood. If he had been in any different mindset, he would have amused himself with a thought or two about how his secretary of three months has a crush on him, but he already had his plate full with pressing matters.

"Gauri, you have a brother, don't you?" he asked looking at her directly.

"Why, Sir?" she questioned suspiciously knowing her boss is not the kind to enquire about the family casually.

"I recollect you saying that he is going to college. Does he have a what kids nowadays call a sports bike?" even as Akash was asking her these questions he began to raise from his place and started to grab some files.

"Why Sir?" she asked again and Akash looked at her smirking at her confusion.

"I might have to borrow that bike for a day and also a sports T-shirt with his college name on it, if he has one." Akash said grabbing his car keys. "I will be waiting in the parking. Be quick." he said before rushing out of the door.

***

Akash stopped the bike, which he borrowed from Gauri's brother, few kilometres away from Delhi where he was sure he was safe from the eyes of any media. Akash never drove a bike even in his college days. He always preferred comfortable cars, unlike his brother. Now, Akash wished he had tried riding bikes more, it did feel good. He pulled the hood over his head soon after removing the helmet just to be sure no one recognises him. Things you have to do to make media believe that you are still inside the office when you are busy covering 100 miles to discover your brother's secret. Akash opened the small piece of paper he was handed in an envelope along with the will last night.

"Aparna Sharma." he read the name from the paper.

This name has been resonating in his mind ever since the will was handed to him. Akash was more than surprised when the lawyer handed him the will saying that the very first clause of the will was that it was to be read in secrecy by none other than Akash Singh Oberoi much to annoyance of rest of his family. It cannot be a plot, can it? Akash wondered, nevertheless, collected the paper ignoring the questioning glares he received.

"I hope you honour Mr.Arjun Singh Oberoi's will." lawyer Aditya Shinde remarked curtly before leaving the house after greeting everyone.

Akash was suspicious and a bit worried. He gave clueless look to the rest of the family before retiring to his room with the will and an envelope that accompanied. Whole night he stared at the name and the address that was written in clean cursive of his brother which he surprisingly recognized. He spent couple of hours forming every possible theory of who Aparna Sharma could be before he gave up due to the head ache and decided to confront her in the given address. For some reason, he wanted to read the will only after knowing who Aparna Sharma was and why his brother has given her address to him.

***

The neighborhood was everything that a middle class family wanted to be happy. There were children playing gleefully, ladies walking while gossiping, men sipping tea discussing sports and politics, a perfect evening for a common man. To even think that his brother would have fit in such a surrounding was ridiculous. Arjun Singh Oberoi was cut out for elite society. But, Akash knew better than to judge what his brother would have done here. Without any difficulty he spotted the door number 13/6 and with great difficulty he bought himself to knock on the door.

Akash definitely expected a beautiful woman to open the door and his instincts didn't deceive him. With doe shaped almond colored eyes, brown feathery hair, dusky complexion and heart shaped face, she easily came into the list of top ten beautiful women he has seen in life. Minutes ago, if he was wondering what business his brother had in this locality, now he knew the answer.

"Come in." she said straight away no questions asked. It only meant that she knew who he was and was expecting him.

Akash was grateful to her for saving him the awkward introduction and followed her inside her house.

"Kamala, bring black tea." she called and he assumed that kamala was her maid.

Even as Akash was trying to settle in the small yet cosy couch he didn't miss to notice that she said black tea instead of anything else. If this woman knows him enough to know that he drank only black tea, then Akash believed that she knew much more about his brother, yet why doesn't her eye seem like of a person who has been crying? Doesn't she know about Arjun's death? Isn't she mourning?

After minutes of awkward silence and a cup of tea, Akash knew he had to address the elephant in the room.

"Arjun's will......"

"You can read it. I know what is in it." she said surprising him.

Akash took the envelope from the inside pocket of his jacket, all the while his eyes fixed on her trying to read her. He took out the paper from the envelope and opened it. But, he had to just clear one doubt before he reads it. He looked up from the paper at her. Her face was as calm as when he first saw her and it only proved that she already knew what was in it.

"I just wanted to know one thing before reading it. " Akash said. He knew she will think he was stupid to ask her something like this but he had to just make sure he was talking to the right person. "Are you Ms.Aparna Sharma?"

She laughed a warm laugh that comes straight from the heart. If he thought that she looked pretty before, then she looked angelic while laughing but, he knew that shouldn't be sold at that. He has to know what the reason behind her nonchalant demeanor is in spite of Arjun's death. Is she even the person he thinks that she is?

"Don't you think it should have been your first question?" she asked looking at him with a humour of her own.

"At least it isn't too late." he challenged

"I am not Aparna Sharma." She said and Akash sighed. He was about to ask her who she was when she spoke after a deliberate pause." I am Aparna Arjun Singh Oberoi."

Akash was taken aback but he didn't let it show in his face. Years of doing business has taught him to mask his emotions. He knew his brother was famous with girls, unlike him, but his brother marrying a girl? Really! Akash always thought his brother to be a no commitment guy.

"I..." Akash paused for a moment to look at Aparna who maintained her calm look. "Proof.", he demanded

"Proof?" She laughed. Akash pressed his lips together looking at Aparna annoyed. He hated that she withheld secrets about his family that he is unaware. She held an upper hand and Akash despised being like this.

"What proof you demand?" asked Aparna as she slowly stood up from her seat. "Marriage photos? Certificate?" she asked moving from the place they were seated towards the stairs "Or will you believe the words of Arjun himself?"

Akash stood from his place agitated. He hated playing games. He was about to shout his disapproval of her nonchalant behavior when his mind stopped functioning at the sight. Arjun Singh Oberoi climbed down the stairs with his infamous smirk placed on his lips. Various speculations ran in Akash's mind. He was tempted to rub his eyes convinced that he was hallucinating. Akash was quick to place the bet that he might be an imposter of his dead brother. But, then, why would Arjun mention this address in his will that was written long back. Akash gulped looking at his presumably dead brother stand before him.

"Akash." the familiar voice sounded strangely daunting

Akash opened his mouth to speak but decided against it, as he wanted obvious answers and he cannot waste time with questions.

"Let us sit, shall we." said Arjun with a look that said that this trip is not going to be as short as Akash expected it to be

Akash shifted his glance between his unexpectedly living brother and his, perhaps undiscovered until before few minutes, sister in law. They both shared a knowing smile adding to Akash's chagrin.

"Where do I start?" asked Arjun leaning forward in his chair

"Maybe how you rose from death?" suggested Akash raising his left eyebrow

Arjun chuckled as he leaned back comfortably. His hand went around Aparna's shoulder who was sitting in close proximity with him. Their familiarity made Akash wonder how long they have known each other.

"I was ten when I orchestrated a fight sequence to entertain dad's guests on his birthday. Alas! I never got to platform it." Arjun said clicking his tongue.

Akash with difficulty called to mind the incident Arjun was referring. It was a sad day. Their father didn't make it to the party owing to business and the guests had to return with a good scoop to gossip about Oberois for a while.

"I guess I have always been good at stunt direction, don't you think? I have still not lost the talent. I manoeuvred my death pretty well believable." Arjun said too happy about his success.

"I figured it out."Akash shrugged his shoulder. After initial shock effaced, Akash outlined in mind how his brother would have done it. Arjun was always on the over dramatic side. It would have been an easy task for his brother to orchestra his own death. The perplexing question was, why.

"Wasn't I the 'Bad' Oberoi guy!" said Arjun more like a statement rather than a question.

Akash closed his eyes frustrated. 'Not again' he mumbled. For God known reason Arjun always opted for the shady business mostly cast off by others owing to moral values or most often fear. Ever since Oberoi industry was parted and Arjun began to deal with his share of the business, Akash had been hearing about his contact with the underbelly of the city. In spite of the foreboding it created, Akash overlooked his brother's actions. The last time he heard that Arjun was importing unauthorised goods from Kuwait along with the materials for their shoe factory, hand in glove with local mafia, Rachha.

"I knew you would get into trouble." Akash said gritting his teeth

"Now, that judgement really helps in business." Arjun said nodding his head appreciatively

"Where are you stuck?" asked Akash ignoring his brother's laid-back behaviour

"Ha! stuck under an elephant's leg" Arjun said making an expression of choking. Akash glared at his silly antics. Arjun looked at Akash tilting his head pouting animatedly reminding Akash of the innocent boy Arjun used to be.

"I was too ruthless for your kind of business and too innocent for their kind of business." Arjun reasoned. "Police is this close to find my involvement." Arjun said holding his index finger and thumb finger closely parallel to each other.

"And you forged your own death to escape." Akash reasoned Arjun's insolent behaviour.

"I had no intention of spending my life in prison, especially when I have found a reason to live life fully." If Akash had left his concentration roam elsewhere he would have missed the way Arjun looked at Aparna or the way he squeezed her hand. How did his Casanova brother fall for a girl so deeply? Perhaps, Akash need to find another time to ask about that.

"Now I think it is right time for you to open the will in the envelope" Arjun suggested seeing Akash engrossed in thoughts

The contents of the paper confused Akash. Why would Arjun donate his wealth to Magic foundation? Arjun was no way near the charity type.

Arjun chuckled at Akash's bewilderment and forwarded another paper to him.

Magic Foundation

Founder: Aparna Singh Oberoi

Akash nodded in indulgent. Of course, they both will get all the wealth but not just directly. That foundation is just a facade to own the wealth without raising any suspicion.

"Do you think they will not find you?" asked Akash

"They will definitely not waste time chasing a dead person. At least, my men will ensure that it doesn't happen." Arjun said

"I take you both are planning to fly out of the country." Akash asked as he got up to leave. He believed he had no work left since the whole puzzle was set.

"Better." said Arjun as he followed his brother and stood on his legs. He wound his arms around Aparna's waist and pulled her closer "We are flying out of the continent. To Australia."

"Hope no one finds you ever." Akash said forwarding his hand for a handshake

"You should find us sometime." Arjun said and it sounded like an unasked promise. Both the brothers shared a quick look of affection before they masked it with their regular cold one.

"I just want to warn you of something ..." Arjun said as Akash was just out of the door and Arjun was leaning on the doorframe.

"I will be careful if I were you "Arjun said

"Why?" asked Akash collecting the helmet from the bike getting ready for his ride. If Arjun was surprised by his brother's mode of transport, he didn't comment.

"In next few days, some underworld mercenaries might visit you to know about Rachha's missing daughter." Arjun said

"Why?" Akash repeated fixing his helmet over his head

"Because, Rachha is Govind Sharma and Aparna is his only daughter" said Arjun in a tone that couldn't have given away the serious case of abduction that he was hinting at.

With a last winking smile Arjun closed the door at his brother's petrified face.

***