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In a room, a guy was quietly moving his fingers over the chords of his guitar, totally being unbothered about the tension his friends were having right then.

"Listen Saloni, you can't do this. Try to understand, humara itna bada event hai saamne..... What do you mean by bhad mein jaaye event? You are a part of our band, it's a big opportunity for you too..... I know what happened between you two, par humare band ka inn sab se kya lena dena... Hello, Hello...."

The call was cut and Krish looked at Veer and Sidharth being dismayed.

"Kya hua? Nahi maani na woh? I knew it. Yeh sab teri wajah se hua hai Sid." Said Veer in an upset tone.

Finally Sidharth left his guitar and asked, "Maine kya kiya be?"

"Tune kyu Saloni ko reject kiya, woh bhi event se just ek mahine se pehle? Haan hi kar deta, at least yeh event toh acche se ho jaata."

"Arrey ajeeb baat hai. I'm not interested phir main usse haan kyu karu? Ab ek event ke liye jhut thodi bulonga uss se? Waise bhi mujhe nahi paata tha ki woh aise achanak se band chhor ke chali jaayegi."

"Seriously tujhe nahi paata tha? School days se Saloni tujhe like karti hai. Usne humara band bhi sirf tere liye join kiya tha. Ab tune uska proposal reject kiya isliye woh heartbreak se deal karne ke liye USA chali gayi apne Dad ke paas. Hum face to face jaa ke usse convince bhi nahi kar sakte. Ab ek mahine ke andar hum kaha dhundenge aisi female lead singer jo Saloni ke level ko match kar sakte?"

Krish held his head being worried while Veer kept his hand on his shoulder.

"Listen guys, don't be so worried." Said Sidharth going towards his friends. "Jab Saloni ka interest hi nahi tha iss band mein toh accha hai woh chali gayi. Humein uske level ki kya uss se better female lead singer milegi."

"Hope so. Kyu ki T-Series wale iss event mein aa rahe hai. Agar apna concert hit hua na bro toh iss saal apna khud ka music album pakka. Phir logo ko pata chalega ki hum sirf faltu guitar leke nahi ghumte. Humari saalon ki mehnat rang layegi." Said Veer to which Krish nodded.

"And I'm assuring aisa hi hoga. Be positive guys. Ek kaam karo, social media pe audition ke baare mein post kar do. I'm damn sure koi na koi ladki toh zaroor hogi jo humare Rocking Rebels ki lead singer ban ne ke liye perfect hogi." Said Sidharth confidently which gave his friends hope and they nodded smilingly.

"Main abhi social media pe post kar deta hoon." Said Krish taking his phone.

"Dekhna audition ke baare mein pata chalte hi ladkiya bhag ke aayengi. Akhir tujhpe toh sab hi ladkiyon ko crush hai." Said Veer in a teasing way, hitting Sidharth's should slightly.

Sidharth rolled his eyes and said, "Kuch bhi. Mujhe na in sab pe koi interest nahi hai. Bas ek perfect singer mil jaaye, enough hai."

Veer nodded in disbelief hearing that and then both Sidharth and Veer leaned towards Krish's phone to see what he was posting.

After few days...

Krish, Veer, and Sidharth huddled around Krish's phone, scrolling through the videos of audition submissions. After they had posted about the audition on social media, the response had been overwhelming.

"Dekh dekh kitne saare videos aaye hai." Krish exclaimed, his eyes scanning the numerous videos.

"Mujhe toh paata hi tha." Replied Veer chuckling. "Sidharth ke liye, ladkiyon ki line lag jaayegi."

Sidharth leaned in, his eyes narrowing as he watched each video. "Guys, we need to find someone with a unique voice, someone who can bring a new energy to our band."

"Ek ek karke videos dekhte hai saari. Ek toh pasand aa hi jaayegi." Said Krish and played a video.

As soon as they heard the voice, they gave scared expressions.

"Zaldi band kar nahi toh kaan se khoon nikal jayega." Said Veer and Krish immediately swiped the video.

"Waise horror movies ke liye toh perfect rahegi iski voice." Said Krish laughing making his friends laugh as well.

"Ok let's not waste our time and move forward." Said Sidharth playing the second video.

"Bhitar bhitar aag jale/ baat karu toh sek lage..."

The girl was singing seductively seeing which they widened their eyes.

"Bhai audition chhoro, iska number pata lagao koi." Said Krish only to get a punch from Sidharth.

"Tu na apna focus inn sab se hata aur agla video play kar." Said Sidharth sternly.

Krish made a sad pout and played another video.

"Audition suru karne se pehle main kuch kehna chahti hoon... Sidharth main tumhari bohut badi fan hoon, tumse bohut pyaar karti hoon, kya tum mere boyfriend banoge?"

The girl forwarded flowers while Sidharth immediately swiped the video and gave a sigh in relief.

Veer and Krish looked at each other and burst into laughter.

After seeing a lots of videos, Sidharth sighed sadly and said, "Bro itne saare auditions dekh liye, abhi tak ek dhang ki singer nahi mili. Ab toh mujhe bhi darr lagne laga hai ki humara concert successful hoga bhi yaa nahi."

"Baki ke auditions bhi dekh lete hai. Kya pata kuch accha mil jaaye." Said Veer to which they agreed.

They were about to play the video when Sidharth's mother, Rita Ji entered the room.

"Sidharth Beta, zara dekh... yeh saree thik lag rahi hai na satsang ke liye?"

Before Sidharth could reply, Veer and Krish said, "First class hai Aunty. Satsang mein saari Auntiyan jealous ho jaayengi aap se."

Rita Ji chuckled hearing that. "Tum dono bhi na, makkhan lagane ka ek bhi mauka nahi chhorte."

Sidharth came forward and asked, "Waise satsang ka time hone wala hai kya? Hum Veer ke ghar chale jaate hai phir."

"Umm... Sidharth main woh hi kehne aayi thi... Dekh bohut dino baad ghar mein satsang rakha hai, mere saare dost aa rahe hai, tu agar thodi der ke liye udhar...."

Sidharth widened his eyes understanding what Rita Ji was going to say and immediately denied.

"Impossible! Aap ko paata hai idhar kitna kaam baki hai. Saamne humara concert hai... Mere paas aap ke satsang ke liye waqt nahi hai. Mujhe baksh do Mom."

"Accha tu gussa kyu ho raha hai? Zyada der rukne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Tu bas apna chehra dikha ke wapas room mein aa jaana. Akhir mere doston ko bhi pata chale ki mera itna handsome beta hai." Said Rita Ji pulling Sidharth's cheek to which he made faces.

"Main handsome hoon yaa nahi yeh aap Auntiyon ko dikha ke kya karogi? Abhi mera kaam zyada important hai na. Aap Veer aur Krish se hi puch lo." He turned to them and said, "Baata na Mom ko."

They were going to say something when Rita Ji said, "Ek kaam karo, tum dono bhi ruk jao. Kachori aur Jalebi kha ke jaana."

Veer and Krish licked their lips hearing that and immediately said, "Okay Aunty. Hum teeno hi satsang attend karenge."

Sidharth became shocked and said, "Kaise dost ho yaar tum dono? Kachori aur Jalebi ke liye bik gaye? Apne dost ka saath chhor diya?"

"Tu kaun hai? Hum toh Aunty ki team pe hai." Said Veer and Krish changing their party to which Sidharth nodded in disbelief.

"Tu yeh wala kurta pehen lena. Maa Bete matching matching pehnenge." Said Rita Ji giving Sidharth a Kurta. He took it sadly.

"Aisi utri hui shakal kyu bana ke rakhi hai? Apni Mom ke liye itna nahi kar sakta?"

"Accha ab emotional blackmail mat karo. Aa jaaunga yeh pehen ke." Said Sidharth pouting making Rita Ji smile.

"Hum bhi ghar se ready hoke aate hai." Said Veer and Krish and left from there.

After few hours, the satsang started at Sidharth's house. Rita Ji's friends and neighbours came and she became busy welcoming them.

Sidharth came out of his room wearing kurta, he was looking handsome in traditional. He stood beside his mother who was doing prayer.

"Mom, sabne dekh liya mera chehra. Can I go now?" He asked in a low voice getting bored.

"Aise nahi karte. Khada reh idhar chup chap." Whispered Rita Ji sternly.

Sidharth focused on the prayer while Veer and Krish also came and joined him. Seeing them, he felt little relieved. At that very moment, a middle-aged woman came towards them.

"Kaisi ho Rita? Bohut dino baad mile." She said and Rita Ji smiled at her.

"Arrey Pammi, aao aao. Tumhara hi wait kar rahi thi." Said Rita Ji and they hugged each other.

"Yeh tumhara beta hai?" She asked looking at Sidharth.

"Haan haan. Yeh hai mera Beta, Sidharth, aur yeh uske dost, Veer aur Krish."

"Hello Aunty!" They all said smiling.

"Hello, Hello! Rita ne baataya tha tum teeno ka koi rock band hai...." Said Pammi Ji and Sidharth nodded in yes.

"Acchi baat hai. Aisi hobbies toh honi hi chahiye. Baki career ke baare mein kya socha hai?"

Sidharth frowned a little but then said smiling, "Aunty yeh humari hobby nahi hai. Hum music ko leke serious hai. Hum apna career iss hi mein bana na chahte hai."

"Ohh accha, aisi baat hai... Waise meri beti ko bhi na music mein bada interest hai. Highly talented classical singer hai woh. Bohut bade Ustad Ji se training liyi hai. Par uske liye toh singing hobby hi hai. Maine aur uske Papa ne toh keh diya tha, accha career chahiye toh academics mein accha karna hoga. Waise meri beti apne school college mein topper reh chuki hai. Abhi graduation complete kar ke further studies ke liye foreign jaane ka plan hai. Ab dekhiye, music ka kya bharosa? Aaj kal itna competition hai, gine chune log hi top ke singers bante hai. Akhir mein toh padhai hi kaam aati hai na..."

"Haan haan bilkool sahi kaha tum ne." Said Rita Ji smiling forcefully while Sidharth's expression changed as he was not liking her words at all.

"Waise beta agar tumhe music mein kuch help chahiye toh tum meri beti se puchh sakte ho. Woh pakka tumhari madad kar paayegi. Aur tumhare career ke liye all the best."

"Thank you Aunty." Said Sidharth trying to be polite.

Pammi Ji smiled when suddenly someone called her and she went to that person.

As soon as she left, Sidharth asked sighing, "Seriously Mom? Aap ne inn sab ke liye mujhe yaaha rukne ko kaha tha? That's why I don't like meeting your friends."

"Chhor na Beta. Unke kehne se kya fark padta hai? Mujhe tujhpe bharosa hai. I believe tera yeh band ek din bohut successful hoga." Said Rita Ji cheering him up.

"Filhaal toh humein bas ek acchi female lead singer mil jaaye, apne concert se pehle."

"Bhagwan ji ke saamne haath jod ke sacche dil se pray kar... Mil jayegi."

Sidharth nodded and closed his eyes, folding his hands while Rita Ji continued performing the prayer.

Suddenly they all heard a beautiful and soothing voice.

Om Jai Ambe Gauri,
Maiya Jai Shyama Gauri।

Sidharth and his friends immediately opened their eyes after hearing the voice, a voice that was like a breath of fresh air, a voice that was pure and soulful.

Tumako Nishidina Dhyawata,
Hari Brahma Shivari॥

Jai Ambe Gauri

Sidharth's eyes scanned the room, searching for the source of the voice. That's when he saw her, a girl sitting in the corner, wearing a simple suit, her hair was kept open and they were falling till her shoulders. She was singing with her eyes closed, lost in the bhajan.

Manga Sindura Virajata,
Tiko Mrigamada Ko।

Ujjavala Se Dou Naina,
Chandravadana Niko॥

Jai Ambe Gauri

Sidharth was mesmerized by her voice, by the way she sang with such passion and devotion. He couldn't help but notice her face features – her small nose, her full lips, her bright smile. But it was her simplicity that really caught his eyes – the way she wore no makeup, yet she was looking so beautiful.

As the bhajan ended, Sidharth felt a sense of disappointment wash over him. He didn't want it to end, didn't want to stop listening to her voice.

But as he looked at her, he saw that she was smiling, her eyes shining with happiness, which brought smile to his face. And in that moment, Sidharth didn't know why but felt a deep connection.

"Mil gayi Bhai!" Said Krish in a low but exciting voice breaking Sidharth's thoughts.

"Kya?" He asked being confused.

"Arrey humare Rocking Rebels ki nayi female lead singer. Kasam se kya voice hai... Humein toh abhi jaa ke uss se baat karni chahiye taa ki woh humara band join kar le." Said Veer.

Sidharth thought for a while looking at the girl and then shook his head negatively.

"Bhai woh bhajan gaa rahi hai. Rock kaise gaayegi? It's a bad idea." Said Sidharth.

"Tune uski pitch dekhi hai? Kitni high hai. Acche se accha rockstar bhi usko pakad nahi paayega." Said Veer.

"Par..."

"Yeh par var abhi chhor." Said Krish stopping Sidharth. "Humare band ki dubti naiya ko ab yeh hi bacha sakti hai. Hum toh jaa rahe hai puchne. Chal Veer."

Krish and Veer went towards the girl.

"Guys listen to me... Guys..." Sidharth tried to stop them but they already approached the girl seeing which Sidharth face-palmed himself.

Sidharth watched how Veer and Krish were talking to her and she was nodding her head happily. He couldn't wait anymore and went towards them.

As soon as Sidharth went there, Krish said, "Accha hua tu bhi aa gaya. Yeh Shehnaaz hai, aur Shehnaaz yeh humare band ka lead singer aur guitarist hai, Sidharth."

"Hi!" Said Sidharth smiling.

"Hello!" Replied Shehnaaz smiling as well.

"Bhai humne saari baatein kar liyi hai. Yeh humare band mein...."

Before Veer could complete, Sidharth said, "Look Shehnaaz I'm extremely sorry. Yeh mere dost hai na, yeh idiots hai. I know tum humara band join nahi kar sakti which is understandable so, it's fine. Koi pressure nahi hai."

Shehnaaz paused for a while and said, "Maine iss se pehle kabhi kisi band mein kaam toh nahi kiya hai, par main try zaroor karna chahungi."

Sidharth was going to say something when Pammi Ji called Shehnaaz.

"Shehnaaz puttar, idhar aana zara."

They all looked at Pammi Ji when Shehnaaz replied, "Abhi aayi Mummy, bas do minute."

Sidharth understood that Shehnaaz was Pammi Ji's daughter and his expression changed immediately.

"Ohho toh tum Pammi Aunty ki Beti ho. I should have guessed it earlier. You are the highly talented classical singer. Tumhari Mummy ne itna baataya tumhare baare mein." He said with a fake smile while Veer and Krish looked at each other realising the sarcasm behind his words.

"Tum meri Mummy se mil chuke ho?" Asked Shehnaaz curiously.

"Haan. Infact unhe na humara yeh rock band wala career bilkool pasand nahi hai. Unke according acche career ke liye academics mein accha hona padta hai. Aur tum toh highly talented classical singer hone ke saath saath studies mein bhi brilliant ho. Humara kya hai, hum toh bas yun hi guitar leke timepass karte rehte hai. So I think tumhe humara band join nahi karna chahiye, it will be a waste of time for you. Mujhe nahi lagta hum saath mein kaam kar sakte hai. Frankly speaking, Classical music and rock music mein bohut difference hota hai."

Hearing Sidharth's rude words, Veer and Krish tried to stop him thinking that Shehnaaz might feel bad.

But instead, Shehnaaz said smiling, "Classical music ho yaa rock music, jab tak mujhe gaana bana ne aur gaa ne ka mauka mile, main khush hoon. Kyu ki singing ke zariye mere dil ko sukoon milta hai, aur mere liye yeh hi sabse zyada matter karta hai."

Hearing her simple and honest reply, Sidharth looked at her with little amusement as he didn't expect her to say this.

"Upar se mujhe lagta hai, tum logo ke band mein mujhe experience milega. Ek singer ke liye iss se zyada accha aur kya ho sakta hai? Mujhe Papa se puchna hoga aur agar unhone haan kar diya toh... main zaroor join karungi, agar tumhe thik lage toh."

Shehnaaz spoke so sweetly that Sidharth was left with no words. And before he could think anything, Veer and Krish jumped in the conversation.

"Done, done. Toh phir decide ho gaya, tum kal se practice pe aa jaana. Main tumhe WhatsApp pe time aur location send kar dunga." Said Krish to which Shehnaaz nodded happily.

"Ok, bye." Shehnaaz waved her hands and then went to her mother.

After she left, Sidharth smacked Krish's and Veer's heads saying, "Ghanchakkar ho kya tum dono? Marwa diya yaar."

"Kya hogaya bhai? Tu itna kyu chidh raha hai? Itni acchi singer toh mil gayi." Said Veer trying to convince him.

Krish nodded in agreement and said, "Dekhna ab humara Rocking Rebels India ka top rock band banega, woh bhi Shehnaaz ke saath."

"Main abhi bhi keh raha hoon woh classical singer hai, rock music nahi ho paayega uss se, saamne concert hai apna, please think logically."

"Tu sochta reh logically. Hum toh abhi relax hoke kachori aur jalebi thusenge. Singer mil chuki hai, ab koi tension nahi."

Veer and Krish left from while Sidharth couldn't understand what to do now.

"Kaha fasa diya yaar!" Murmured Sidharth being worried.

Then Sidharth's eyes fell on Shehnaaz who was standing with Pammi Ji and talking to other women.

"Yeh aur rock music, impossible hai." He thought nodding in disbelief.
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Will Shehnaaz be able to fit in the band?

Will Sidharth be able to accept her?

Stay tuned...

Also vote if you liked this chapter.