We Meet Again, Shanti

Synopsis:  A true happy ending to ‘Om Shanti Om’ which technically did end happily in that karma did bite Murkesh back.  However, our Omi…Did he ever find happiness  ?   Read on, faithful one ! 

            ‘When the heart wants something badly enough, the entire Universe conspires in order to get it !’—Om, Om Shanti Om

Chapter 1—Back to Filming

        Justice had been served and everyone had forgotten about Murkesh and his evil, abysmal deeds.   His name was no longer mentioned.  Any tie he had bore to the film Om Shanti Om was erased from everyone’s memory.   Om, though, couldn’t forget what had happened that night.   The vision of Shanti had been so clear it almost brought tears to his eyes.   One night, while sleeping peacefully in his bed, he had a dream about her.   It was like before, when he had waltzed with her under the moonlight, the silk of her navy blue sari running through his fingertips like water.    It was a resplendent reverie and he never wanted it to end.   Shanti reached out to him and touched his cheek.   He couldn’t stop his tears from flowing, even if he had wanted to.   This was the tender touch he had longed for, the one he knew so well and had given him so much joy.  

        ‘Om, you have to let me go.  Your co-star, Sandy, she loves you very much.’, Shanti began, tears in her eyes as well.  She knew that in heaven there was no need for her to cry any longer, so the tears were short lived.   She also knew that she didn’t want Om to be alone.  He deserved a lovely, dependable and affable partner, equal to himself.  

        ‘Sandy’s sort of bubble headed though.’, he said, scowling. 

        ‘She’s changed.  You’ve seen that yourself.  She only plays dumb.  Just give her a chance.  Maybe she’ll surprise you.’, Shanti said, lightly touching Om’s cheek one last time before she disappeared into the ether.  Om thought about it and felt maybe Shanti was onto something he didn’t quite understand.   She had proven herself quite admirably in the past and he was impressed by how quick of a study she was.   He knew he wasn’t getting any younger and that love was risky but he would take a chance and let the chips fall where they may. 

Chapter 2—Under the Moonlight

        It had been another stellar day of shooting and Om felt relaxed as well as fulfilled.   The latest movie he and Sandy had starred in was about to have a red carpet release of their recent film, which most likely would be a blockbuster.    Sandy was headed back to her trailer to sleep for the night, but Om caught up to her.

        ‘Sandy, wait !’, he said.  She turned around, looking smitten as always.         

        ‘Yes ?’, she asked, coyly but sweetly.

        ‘Firstly, bang up job, darling.   Secondly, I was wondering if you would want to get a bite to eat with me.’, Om began with a magnetic smile.   The warmth in his gaze nearly made Sandy melt.  She blushed hotly.   Unable to speak for a moment, she nodded.   Om held his hand out for her to take his arm and he led her to the porch of his trailer. 

        While he seated her at his table, he made a delicious meal for them both.   The moon in the sky was full and lovely; stars dotted the horizon, twinkling merrily.   It was the perfect romantic venue.   He put on some extraordinary love songs in the background just to set the mood and came back with the decadent meal.   It was so well presented she almost didn’t want to eat it, for fear she’d mar Omi’s masterpiece.

        ‘It’s a glorious night.’, Omi began, after they had thanked heaven for their bounty and began to eat.   Sandy couldn’t stop staring at him.  From the moment she had become his coworker, she had fallen hard for him and it was often difficult for her to express her innermost feelings for him.   This night, however was different. 

        ‘Om ?’, she began, albeit a little apprehensively but then cleared her throat, regaining her confidence.   Om took a sip of water and sighed in satisfaction, clearly enjoying her company.  Honestly, he hadn’t been this happy in a long time and they had laughed for hours on end going on about how nutty the paparazzi had been and how good ol’ mama had kept them in their place.   

        ‘Yes, what it is, Sandy ?’, he queried, leaning a bit closer to her.   She boldly reached out and placed both her hands atop his.

        ‘I don’t know if you are aware, but I love you.  More than anything, more than my own life.  I consider it a grand fortune just to be breathing the air you do.’, Sandy began.   Om felt his cheeks grow hot.  He knew every word that came from her lips was true.   The familiar palpitations began in his heart and he felt lighter than air.  He never wanted the feeling to end.   It was strange, though, he had almost forgotten what being in love and being loved was like. 

        ‘I’ve come to be very fond of you myself.’, Om said.   They had finished their dinner and he heard a song on his CD player that was perfect for them to dance to.   He got up from the table, pushed in his chair and helped her onto her feet. 

        ‘Care to dance, Sandy ?’, he asked, holding out his hand.   She nearly squealed in euphoria.   Sandy readily accepted, and the two were swept away by a spectacular, hypnotic melody that drew them closer together.   He spun her into her arms and felt the electricity multiply between them.    Lightly, he kissed her neck, breathing in the fragrance lingering on her nape.    She never wanted him to let go.   Boldly, she turned around and drew even closer, his breath tickling her gently.   Passionately, she kissed him, and left him breathless until he drew her up into his arms and continued to kiss her.    He brought her to his bed and tenderly made love to her the rest of the night.   The remainder of the evening was spent with them tittering like schoolgirls and curling together close. 

        ‘I truly do adore you.’, she said before falling asleep to the lulling touch of his fingertips in her hair.    Not before long, he was asleep beside her, totally content and fulfilled.   

Chapter 3—A Wedding Comes to Town

        After a year of courting Sandy properly, Om finally garnered the courage to ask her for his hand.   Sure she had a dipsy and sometimes eccentric mother, but didn’t everyone have batty families ?   He didn’t mind the occasional insanity that came from Sandy’s mother’s mouth.  In fact, he found it quite endearing.   His own mother, case in point, was battier than a cave on Halloween night.  

        The wedding was a grand affair, and oddly enough the press managed to keep their distance from the happy couple.   Like all traditional Indian weddings, Sandy was carried in on a palanquin in a glorious, mesmerizing orange sari.    Om could barely peel his eyes from her.   Grandly, he had come in on an elephant; one because he could afford it, and two because he wanted to help the lesser fortunate have some work for the day.  He would figure out other means of helping them beyond the typical 7-day wedding feast he and Sandy had planned. 

        They were married the traditional way and played music from popular Bollywood film, including, coincidentally enough, the one they had finished years ago.   All had come full circle and they could live the rest of their lives in happiness.   It was a long time coming, but they knew the days ahead would be filled with sublimity. 

Epilogue

        Romance since the time they had been dating hadn’t fizzled or died away even though Sandy and Om had children of their own.  They spent most of their time caring for their little ones, doing what they could to raise them right in the world.   When night fell, they always sang their children to sleep, the lovebirds fell asleep in each other’s embrace, listening to the rhythm of each other’s hearts.  Somehow, they knew that even if they departed from each other in this lifetime they would meet in the next.  Their hearts would recognize each other instantly and they would fall for one another just as they had, having a second chance to experience love’s bounty once more.  That is indeed, how powerful love is and continues to be.   Their lesson to us is never underestimate love and always to be open to its whims and whiles, riding it like the wind when it blows into our lives. 

The End