A man sat at his desk, buried deep in files and business reports, his focus unwavering. He was none other than Arnav Oberio—a man scarred by tragedy, both inside and out. The burn marks that stretched from his jawline down to his torso, hidden beneath his crisp shirt, were silent witnesses of a painful past. Yet none of it slowed him down. He was a machine—moving, calculating, surviving. He bore the weight of a fractured family, and every late hour at work was his attempt to fix it piece by piece.
Tonight was no different. He was preparing for a major collaboration that could push Oberio Enterprises to new heights. His PA, Lakshay Singh, knocked gently before entering.
“Sir, it’s 8 p.m. I’ll take your leave now?”
Only then did Arnav glance at the clock. Without a word, he gave Lakshay a nod. After Lakshay left, Arnav leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath, hoping it would lighten the stress sitting heavy on his chest. It didn’t.
He never ran away from responsibility. But today, he needed someone—someone to tell him, "Sab theek hojaayega."(Everything will be okay.)
But there was only silence.
Just then, his phone rang—Aarav, his cousin, no... his brother. The only one who truly understood him. He picked up the call.
“Bhaiya, when will you come home? It’s already 8. I know you haven’t eaten dinner yet... please, say something.”
A tired smile flickered on Arnav’s lips.
“Will you let me speak?” he chuckled.
“Aarav, I was working on that important collaboration. I’ll try to come soon, but I can’t promise. Ask everyone to have dinner. Please look after Abinav. Make sure he eats and goes to bed. I trust only you two.”
“I know bhai, don’t worry. I’ll feed him and put him to sleep. But bhaiya… please talk to him. It’s been a week since he saw you. He won’t say anything, but I know he misses you. You’re the only parent he knows. Please try to be at the breakfast table tomorrow.”
The call ended.
Arnav stared at the old family photo on his desk. Once, they were all smiling in that frame. Now? They were just… co-existing under one roof, yet so distant.
His eyes wandered to the images of his father, Rudra Oberio, and bade papa, Raghav Oberio. They were his guiding lights.
Flashback – 13 Years Ago
Arnav, 15 years old, had walked into his father’s office after school. Inside, his papa and bade papa, were immersed in a serious discussion about the business.
Arnav admired his bade papa the most—the way he spoke, led, and inspired. While Rudra showered him with love, Raghav gave him principles and purpose.
Rudra noticed his son at the door.
“Arnav, come in beta. Sit quietly, we’re almost done.”
Arnav obeyed, sitting quietly, watching the two men talk. Every move, every word fascinated him.
“Kya dekhrahe ho, mere bacche?” (What are you watching, my child?)
“Kuch nahi bade papa... ek din aapko proud feel karwaunga. Aap khud kahenge—‘Wah beta, kamaal kar diya!’(One day, I’ll make you proud. You’ll say— ‘Wow, son, you did wonders!’)”
Raghav chuckled. “Toh kya sochahai?”(So, what’s your plan?)
“Main commerce loonga 11th mein. Phir abroad apply karunga—Harvard, mera sapna. Jab main padkeaaunga tab main Oberios ko naye heights tak le jaunga. Saari duniya hamare business ke baaremein baat karegi.”
("I will take Commerce in 11th. Then I’ll apply abroad—Harvard is my dream. When I come back after studying, I’ll take Oberios to new heights. The whole world will talk about our business.")
Both elders laughed, ruffling his hair. That was his dream—to make them proud.
But that dream shattered 13 years ago.
A summer vacation was planned. But instead of laughter and travel, two white-shrouded bodies returned—Rudra and Raghav were gone. Just like that.
Suddenly, all investors backed out. Debtors came knocking, demanding repayment, not sympathy. Their upper-middle-class respectability was gone overnight.
Arnav was just 16, awaiting his board results. And in that very moment, he realised—money is everything. No one waited for mourning. The world only counts your worth in currency.
Rajat Oberio, the youngest of the brothers, arrived for the last rites with his wife, Divya. No one acknowledged them. Their silence spoke volumes.
Later, the entire family sat in the once-chaotic living room, now silent with grief.
Arnav didn’t cry. He had no time for tears.Beside him sat Arjun (14) and Aniket (10) sleeping with his head in Arjun’s lap. Aarav and Ayush (4-year-old twins) lay curled on either side of Arnav.
Kaveri Oberio, the grandmother, sat silently, surrounded by her daughters-in-law—Sheela and Gayathri, the latter barely reacting to the events around her.
Rajat and Divya stood respectfully in a corner.
Kaveri cleared her throat.
“Now we must think ahead—how to repay debts, and how to keep this house running.”
That’s when Sheela rose, voice sharp with authority.
“What is there to discuss, Maa ji? I will take over the business. I worked alongside Rudra, I know every detail. I’ll run it. But I want to be very clear—I cannot raise orphans.”
(She looked directly at Aarav and Ayush.)
“Unka baap to apni doosri biwi ke saath maze mein hai. Hum yahaan rorahe hain, aur woh apni duniya mein busy hain. Main bhai saab jaisi mahaan nahihoon. I have my own children to raise.”
(Their father is living happily with his second wife while we grieve here. I'm not as noble as bhai saab.)
She continued, coldly: “Bhabhi and Aniket can stay. But if you don’t agree, give me my share. I’ll leave with my kids.”
Arnav felt shattered. His arm instinctively wrapped tighter around the twins.
Rajat couldn’t bear it anymore. “Bhabhi, yeh bachche anathnahi hain! Main zindahoon! Sirf bhai saab ke kehne pe inhe yahan chhodatha. Anitha ke jaane ke baad main inhe le jaasaktatha. ("Bhabhi, these children are not orphans! I am alive! I left them here only because elder brother asked me to. Even after Anitha passed away, I could have taken them with me.")
He turned to Kaveri. “Ma… main yeh bachche le jaaunga. Aap sab gussa hain mujh par, theek hai. Par ek baar sochiye, maa… please. Chhodiye gussa. I’ll take care of everything.” (Ma… I will take the kids with me. You're all angry with me, that's fine. But just think once, Ma… please. Let go of the anger. I’ll take care of everything.")
But Sheela was scared—if Rajat returned, he might gain control over the business.
“Nahi maa ji! Yeh nahi hosakta.” ("No, Ma ji! This can’t happen.") she snapped. “He left this house for his love. Now he wants to come back for control?”
Her eyes burned with fear. “If you support your youngest, I will leave. Give me my share—I’ll go to my father’s house.”
In the middle of this chaos, Arnav and Arjun exchanged helpless looks. The home that once echoed with laughter was now filled with pain, division, and betrayal.
“Kabhi kabhi zindagi mein sab kuch hote hue bhi sab kuch adhoora lagta hai…”
(Sometimes, even with everything, life feels incomplete.)
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