This story is inspired by the malayalam movie Sargam which was remade into Telugu as Sarigamalu.

Thank u so much my dearest friend ashpat3 for the beautiful cover page.

A beautiful girl was singing on stage.She was Preeta Arora.

Aa..
Sa re ga re sa ni, tinak tin tani
Ga re ma ga re sa ni, tinak tin tani
Pa pa ma ma ga ga ma,
Ma ma ga ga re re ga
Ga ga re re sa sa ni, tinak tin tani
Tinak tin tani, do din ki zidagani
Tinak tin tani
Tinak tin tani, do din ki zidagani
Tinak tin tani
Tinak tin tani, do din ki zidagani

Log kahe ye baag hai phoola
Log kahe ye baag hai phoola
Phoolaa, phoolaa,
Phoo phoo phoo phoo phoo
Log kahe ye baag hai phoola
Log kahe ye baag hai phoola aa..
Log kahe ye baag hai phoola
Man bhanwara kaliyo mein bhula
Man bhanwara kaliyo mein bhula
Sadhu kahe murajhani
Sadhu kahe murajhani

Do din ki zidagani
Ga re ma ga re sa ni
Tinak tin tani
Pa pa ma ma ga ga ma,
Ma ma ga ga re re ga
Ga ga re re sa sa ni
Tinak tin tani
Tinak tin tani,
Do din ki zidagaani

Log kahe ye jag hai mela
Log kahe ye jag hai mela
Me me me me me me me mela
Laa me laa me laa
Mela mela me me me me me me me
Laa laa melaa mela mela
Log kahe ye jag hai mela aa...
Log kahe ye jag hai mela
Koi rahe kyun isame akela
Koi rahe kyun isame akela
Sadhu kahe aana jaani
Sadhu kahe aana jaani

Do din ki zidagani
Ga re ma ga re sa ni
Tinak tin tani
Pa pa ma ma ga ga ma,
Ma ma ga ga re re ga
Ga ga re re sa sa ni
Tinak tin tani
Tinak tin tani, do din ki zidagani

Do din ki zidagaani
Tinak tin tani
Tinak tin tani, do din ki zidagani(Sargam).

Her music teacher Mahesh was admiring her silently.

He stared at the boy next to him.He was none than Mahesh's son Karan.

Mahesh:See how she is singing.She is the daughter of Rishab Luthra's caretaker.Still she sings as if music is there in her genes.But you are my son.Still you have no talent.How many times I told you to attend my music classes?But you have no interest in it.

Karan was irritated.

Everyone clapped their hands when Preeta's concert got over.

After Preeta came down she walked towards Mahesh and touched his feet.

Mahesh:God bless you.One day you will become the most famous singer in our country.

Preeta:Thank you Guruji.

Mahesh looked at Karan.

Mahesh:Learn from her how to dedicate heart and soul to music.She is practicing music all the time while you are a lazy boy.

Karan felt insulted as his father scolded him before his favourite student Preeta.

He looked down in shame.

Preeta was giggling silently when Karan got scolded by his father in front of her.Hearing her giggle Karan looked at her,Seeing how Preeta was ridiculing him through her silent laughter at him Karan stared at her angrily.

Karan was with his best friend Rishab Luthra.Rishab,Karan and Preeta were neighbours since childhood.Karan's father Mahesh is the family friend of Luthras.Preera is the daughter of Rishab's caretaker Sarla's daughter.So Preeta was close to Rishab's mother Rakhi.Rishab has temper issues since childhood.He even went violent many times in school.His mother Rakhi took him to a psychiatrist and ever since he was tagged as a mental patient by the society.The whole society mocked him.All were scared of Rishab.Nobody preferred to mingle with Rishab.He was isolated by everyone excluding his mother Rakhi.But his childhood friend Karan was always close to him.Karan was the only person Rishab was friendly with.With him Rishab is normal and sweet.

Karan was releasing his frustration before Rishab.

Karan:Papa thinks that music is the only thing in this world.He considers him as useless.

Rishab:I think he knows that you have singing talent and that's why he is irritated that you are not taking any interest in music.

Karan:I am used to hearing scoldings from him.But when he scolded me before that Preeta my blood boiled.Because that stupid girl was ridiculing me.She never leaves any chance to ridicule me.She is proud that she is the best singer.

Rishab:What?Preeta ridiculed you?She crossed all her limits.I will teach her a lesson.

Karan smiled.

Preeta was returning after the music classes.Suddenly her way was blocked by Rishab.Seeing his anger filled red eyes Preeta got scared.She was shivering.

Rishab:Did you ridicule my best friend Karan?

Preeta nodded in 'no' due to fear.

Rishab:Since childhood everyone calls me mad.But I did not care.But if anyone hurts my best friend Karan I will not spare that person.

Preeta was really scared.

Rishab:But I am sparing you only because you are a girl and you are Sarla aunty's daughter.You have not derived good qualities from your mother.

Preeta was relieved as Rishab is not punishing her.

Rishab:But still I am warning you.If you ever try to ridicule Karan again I will forget that you are Sarla aunty's daughter.Understand?

Preeta nodded in 'yes' due to fear.

Rishab gave her an angry glare and walked away.

Preeta was sweating.

The next day...

Preeta followed Karan.

Preeta:Hey stop there.

Karan turned back and looked at her:What do you want now?

Preeta:Why did you complain to that mad boy about me?

Karan got angry.

Karan:Never call my friend mad.

Preeta:But it's true that he is mad.You should not have complained to a mental patient about me.He would have killed me.

Karan:Rishab won't kill anyone.I know him very well.Tell me...did he hurt you?

Preeta:No.He did not hurt me.But looked at me as if he will eat me up alive.I don't understand how you became that psycho's friend.Are you not scared of him?

Karan:No.He is my life.We are brothers by heart relationship.He loves me a lot.All of you have only hurt him.That's why he is an animal to others.But I love him.That's why he is nice to me.Instead of calling him mental if all of you had showed him some humanity he would not been abnormal.You all made him like this.

Preeta became upset.

Preeta:I am sorry.For the first time I feel that you are right and I am wrong.

Unknowingly Karan smiled.

Suddenly he became serious.

Karan:It's good that you understood what I said.So try to be normal with Rishab.

Preeta:Ok.

Karan walked away.Preeta smiled.

Preeta:Though he is slack,he is the only human among us.

Karan went near Rishab.

Karan:Did you scold Preeta?

Rishab:Yes,i warned her not to misbehave with you.I am sure that she will not ridicule you in future.

Karan smiled.

Rishab:But Karan...I think that you need to prove yourself before others.I am useless as people consider me as mental.

Karan became upset.

Karan:Don't say like that Rishab.

Rishab:I am not upset Karan.I am taking treatment for my mental illness.So I know that I am abnormal.So I have to sit at home 24 hours even if I want to do something.But your case is different.You are talented.Don't waste your talent because of laziness.You should make your father proud and win everyone's respect.

Karan looked at him emotionally.

Karan:Rishab!

Rishab:Promise me that you will show how talented you are.Then I can proudly say that my best friend is a great personality.

Karan held his hand emotionally.

Karan:I promise you Rishab.

Rishab smiled.

A festival was going on in Luthras' family temple.

Mahesh gave the lyrics of a bhajan and asked Preeta to sing.

Preeta became upset.

Preeta:Guruji...I am sorry.I am having throat ache.I don't think..I can sing with my soar throat. My voice is ...

Mahesh was shocked.

Mahesh:What is this Preeta?Being a singer you were supposed to take care of your throat.Right?

Preeta looked down in guilt.

Mahesh:Now what will I do?

Suddenly Karan took the book from Preeta( in which the lyrics were written) and looked at the lyrics.

Mahesh:What are you going to do with it?If you had taken music classes from me and rehearsed it you could have sung it here now.

Suddenly surprising everyone Karan started singing the bhajan.

O Paalanhare

O Paalanhaare, Nirgun Aur Nyaare

O Paalanhaare, Nirgun Aur Nyaare

Tumre Bin Hamra Kaunon Naahin

Humri Uljhan Suljhaao Bhagwan

Tumre Bin Hamra Kaunon Naahin

Tumhe Humka Ho Sambhaale

Tumhe Hamre Rakhwaale

Rishab smiled happily.Preeta was lost in Karan's magical voice.Mahesh did not know how to react.

Tumre Bin Hamra Kaunon Naahin

Tumre Bin Hamra Kaunon Naahin

Tumre Bin Hamra Kaunon Naahin

Chanda Mein Tumhe To Bhare Ho Chaandni(Bhajan by Ankit Batra)

After Karan finished singing everyone admired him.

Mahesh looked at Karan emotionally.

Mahesh:How was it possible?

Karan:When you were making Preeta rehearse this song in our house I was listening to it .I practiced it on my own.

Mahesh smiled emotionally.

Mahesh:I was wrong in judging you.Please forgive me my son.

Karan became very emotional.

Karan:Don't apologize to me.I just want you to accept me.

Rishab:Mahesh Uncle..I know that no one values my words as I am mad.But I request you to not underestimate Karan in any way.He is more talented than your favourite students.

Rishab stared at Preeta.Preeta was embarrassed as she realized that Rishab was talking about her.

Rishab:Karan is the house of talent.You did'nt recognize his talent as people often do not understand the value of the people who stay close to us.

Mahesh:I always knew that Karan was talented.But I was sad that he did not utilize his talent.That's why I kept taunting him to make him work on his talent.But my method was wrong.I am sure that you only convinced Karan.Thank you very much.

Rishab smiled.

Rishab:For the first time someone other than Karan appreciated me.I feel very happy.

Rakhi smiled emotionally.Mahesh just smiled.He looked at Karan.

Mahesh hugged Karan tearfully.Karan hugged him back as he got his father back.

Karan started attending Mahesh's music classes.Preeta was getting impressed by Karan day by day.

She went near Karan.

Preeta:I am sorry Karan.I did'nt know that you were such a nice singer.You broke my arrogance of being the best singer in this area.

Karan was silent.

She held his hand.

Preeta:Won't you forgive me for ridiculing you always?

Karan thought for a moment and said:Ok.

Preeta smiled happily.

Preeta:Means you forgave me?

Karan smiled:Yes.

Preeta:Then shall we be friends?

Karan became dull as he as he was not sure whether he should accept her friendship or not.Preeta also became dim.

Understanding his hesitation to be her friend Preeta said,

"If you really forgave me,be my friend".

Slowly Karan smiled:Ok.

Preeta smiled.

Karan-Preeta's friendship blossomed and they started feeling for each other.In between Karan became busy with his concerts also.

Rishab's psychiatrist told Rakhi that Rishab will become normal if he gets married.As no girl will marry a mental patient like Rishab,Rakhi chose Preeta.When she suggested it to Sarla,she was very happy as her daughter will become a rich family's daughter in law.

Rakhi:Are you fine with this proposal Sarlaji?

Sarla:Of course yes Rakhiji.My daughter won't get a boy from such a nice family.

Rakhi:Are you sure?But you are aware of Rishab's health issues.

Sarla:I have been taking care of Rishab since childhood.He is like my son.And after marriage slowly slowly Rishab will become fine.Right?Then what's the problem?

Rakhi smiled.

Rakhi:You please discuss it with Preeta.I am tensed whether she will agree or not.

Sarla:Why should she disagree?She will not go against my wish.

Rakhi was relieved.

Karan-Preeta decided to confess their love to each other.Karan met Preeta.

Karan:Preeta..I want you tell you something.I don't know how you will take it.

Preeta:What's the matter Karan?Is everything alright?

Karan:Ya...actually...Preeta...I have fallen in love with you.

Preeta was stunned.

Karan became dull seeing her silent.

Karan:If you don't love me it's ok.

Suddenly she placed her finger on his lips.

Preeta:How did you think that I don't love you?I love you a lot Karan.

They shared an intense eye lock.

They embraced each other emotionally.

It started raining.He started romancing her.She was lost in him.

Suddenly Sarla saw this with a shock.

Sarla:Preeta!

Preeta and Karan were shocked to see Sarla.

Preeta:Karan..I am going.

Preeta ran away.

Sarla slapped Preeta.

Sarla:How dare you romance Karan?I never thought that you can stoop to the level of romancing a boy in public.

Preeta looked down as she was not able to face her.

Sarla:How could you do this Preeta?Is this the culture I inculcated in you?

Preeta looked at Sarla painfully hearing Sarla taunting her regarding her culture,

Preeta:Is loving a person a sin?

Sarla:No,but you should not love Karan.Because Rakhiji wants you to marry Rishab and I agreed.

Preeta was shocked.

Preeta:Maa,you agreed without even asking me?

Sarla:How will I know that you are seeing someone behind me?Anyways forget him.Marry Rishab.

Preeta:No Maa.I will not agree to marry Rishab.

Sarla got very angry and upset.

Sarla went to Luthra house.

Rakhi:Sarlaji..come come.

Sarla was upset thinking how to tell Rakhi about Preeta and Karan.

Rakhi:What happened Sarlaji?Why are you looking sad?

Slowly Sarla he informed Rakhi about Preeta and Karan's love.Rakhi was shocked.

Sarla:I never knew that Preeta was in love with Karan.Otherwise in the beginning itself I would have warned her.

Rakhi became upset.

Rakhi met Karan.

Rakhi:Karan,the doctor says that Rishab will be fine only if he gets married.

Karan:Then you should get Rishab married.

Rakhi:But which girl will marry a boy like Rishab?Which parent will let their daughter to marry a boy like Rishab?

Karan became upset.

Rakhi:But one girl's mother agreed.But her daughter refused to marry Rishab.If you try,she will agree to marry Rishab.

Karan was confused.

Karan:How can I make her agree?

Rakhi:The girl loves you,that's why she does not want to marry Rishab.She is Preeta.

Karan was shocked.