The New OM

After some time, Geetama finally understood everything, and she smiled at Om, saying,

"Oh wow, Om Babu! This is really good news. It's great that you've found your voice, and what a lovely voice it is! But, for the first time in five years, you've spent so much time outside your room."

Om laughed and replied,

"Geetama, the money is running out, and now I need to earn some to pay you. So, I have to step out of my room—actually, out of the house—to find a job."

Now that everything was clear in her mind, Geetama smiled and said,

"So that's why you've come out, Om Babu. I'm seeing you properly for the first time in years, and you look like some kind of saint. You look like a yogi! You're still so young, yet with that long beard, you look much older, Om Babu."

Hearing Geetama's words, Om was reminded of the changes he had undergone in the past five years. He got lost in his thoughts and memories. Over those five years, by the time he learned to control his powers, his beard had grown a foot and a half long, and his hair had also grown quite lengthy. Though he eventually learned to control the growth of his hair and body, the transformation had already taken place. His once frail body had become incredibly strong, and what once resembled a dry twig was now a physique similar to that of a bodybuilder like Vidyut Jammwal, as if he had spent five years in a gym instead of a room. His body had become so attractive that anyone could be drawn to him. His face now had a radiance that could captivate anyone.

Just then, Geetama, lost in thought, said,

"But Om Babu, what can you do in such a small town? All the kids your age have finished their studies and moved to big cities like Mumbai. Only people like us, the elderly, remain here. If you ask me, you should also go to a big city to find a job."

Om pondered over Geetama's words, then, after a few moments, looked at her, smiled, and said,

"Don't worry about it, Geetama. I'll think about it. But since you're not feeling well today, you can take the day off. And don't worry, I won't deduct the pay for this day."

Geetama's day had already been filled with surprises, and although she had forgotten many things, the idea of a day off was hard to digest. After all, she hadn't taken a single day off in five years—she had to ask for it every time, but Om had never offered it to her. However, who doesn't like a day off? Especially since Geetama was quite old, so a day off was like a lifeline for her. Without asking any more questions, she accepted the day off, thanked Om, and started to leave.

As soon as Geetama left, Om decided to fix his sage-like appearance and headed to a nearby barbershop. The first thing he did was normalize his appearance. The Om who had shut himself in his house at 18 now, at 23, looked like a 35-year-old with that long beard. But when he stepped out of the barbershop, he looked like a handsome 20-year-old boy, ready for his first day of college or perhaps even a date. The five years of sacrifice had given Om many qualities, including a charming look. The radiance on his face, thanks to yoga, only added to his allure. By the time Om reached home on foot, nearly every woman and girl on the street had noticed him. There was a certain vibe around Om that seemed to draw everyone toward him.

Upon reaching home, Om took a bath, cleaned up, and looked at himself in the mirror. Happy with what he saw, he started talking to his reflection.

"Indeed, there has been a change. I can't thank that sage enough. He said we'd meet again someday, and I'll be waiting for that day. But before that, as he said, I need to refine this new Om. I need to make a name for myself because living in obscurity has gone on long enough. My presence might not have mattered to anyone here; perhaps, to them, I was already dead. And if I did die, it wouldn't have made any difference to anyone. But now, I need to make a name so that at least someone will care when I'm gone. That book gave me a new life; now, I need to create a name that will fix everything."

As Om spoke these words, there was a different kind of light, a different kind of spark in his eyes. Without wasting any time, Om changed his clothes, got ready, and looking handsome as ever, stepped out of his house. He looked up at the blue sky with enthusiasm and a victorious smile and said,

"People of the world, the Om you once knew is dead. Welcome the new Om, because this Om won't stop now... He's going to shake things up."

Saying this, Om started moving forward. As he walked through the streets of the town, he was looking for a place. Looking around, he said,

"It should be around here somewhere. Ah, here it is."

Om stopped in front of a large hospital.

Looking at the hospital with firm determination, Om said,

"I may not have had anything in my previous life, but in this life, I want everything I deserve."

He then walked inside and asked the girl at the entrance,

"Excuse me, could you please tell me where Dr. Vijay Ahuja's office is? I need to meet him."

The girl at the counter, leaving her work aside, looked at Om, and then got lost in his appearance. She stared at him for a while, and Om, bringing her out of her dreams, tapped the counter and said,

"Hello, ma'am? Could you please tell me where Dr. Vijay Ahuja's office is?"

The girl snapped out of her daze and, blushing, said,

"Yes, yes, Dr. Ahuja. Go straight ahead, take the first left, then skip two offices, and his office will be on the right. Do you have an appointment with him?"

Om, softening his tone, replied,

"No, I don't have an appointment. But could you please go and tell him that I'd like to meet him?"

The girl smiled and said,

"Usually, we can't do that, but in some personal cases, we do arrange meetings. I'll check for you."

She then picked up the telephone and dialed a number. Om smiled and said, "Thank you."

The girl talked to Dr. Ahuja on the phone and then asked Om,

"Excuse me, what's your name?"

Om, slightly flustered, quickly replied,

"Tell him Om wants to meet him."

The girl relayed the message on the phone, then hung up, smiled at Om, and said,

"Dr. Ahuja asked you to wait for a bit. He'll call you in shortly."

Hearing this, Om smiled and hesitantly sat down. Just then, something crossed the girl's mind, and she asked Om,

"Excuse me, I hope you don't mind me asking, but his tone changed the moment he heard your name. Who are you?"

Om looked at the girl and, in a very soft voice, answered,

"Ma'am, I'm his elder brother's son, Om Ahuja. He's my uncle."