So here's the next chapter and gosh... almost 3000 words! Enjoy you all. It's going to be an interesting ride moving forward. Also, Added English translations to previous chapters as well.


Heartstrings::Jitu/Ayushmann

A month after Ayushmann said yes to his next script the preparations begins for his next project and Gulaabo Sitabo's post-production is nearing towards the end and he is gearing up for the promotions once again. Amongst this busy time he is surprised to get invitation by Neena Gupta gathering team of Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan to celebrate the success for the movie.

"Kaise ho, Ayushmann?" (How are you, Ayushmann?)

"Main theek hon, aap kaisi hain, Neena ji?" (I'm good, how are you, Neena Ji?)

"Bohut achi, as always." Ayushmann chuckles at this. (I'm great, as always.)

"Acha jis liye phone kiya hai woh toh bata don." (Okay so I have called with for something important.)

"Ji." (Yes.)

"Maine Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan ki success party host ki hai apne ghar. Zayada log nahi bas apni hi team hai, itne time se sab mile nahi toh socha yeh acha mauqa hai. Saturday ko hai shaam mein." (I am hosting success party for Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan and invited our team. We haven't got together for quite sometime so thought this is a good opportunity. It's on Saturday evening.)

"That's great, Neena ji, par..." (That's great, Neena ji, but...)

"Dekho yeh par var mere saath mat karo." (Look, I will not hear ifs and buts.)

"Neena ji aap toh jaanti hain ke Gulaabo Sitabo ki promotion start ho rahi hai aur next project bhi." (Neena ji, you know that Gulaabo Sitabo's promotions are starting and I'm also starting work on next project.)

"Ayushmann... tumhare bina..." (Ayushmann, with you...)

"Main jaanta hon par..." (I know but...)

"Chalo theek hai." Neena sighs and Ayushmann knows she is disappointed which he did not want her to. (Okay, that's alright.)

"Main koshish zaroor karonga par waada nahi kar sakta." (I'll try my best but I can't promise.)

"Theek hai." She smiles at this, even though she is disappointed a bit but also understands the pressure of work on Ayushmann, so she says he will have to make up for it and he agrees for sure before they bid goodbye. (That's okay.)

Jitu is finally feeling relaxed in a while as he looks at his first completed draft of Kota Factory S2. It's finally done and he can finally breathe. He has meeting with the team soon to finally get the S2 of floor soon. He gets surprised when he gets call from Neena Gupta, for the invitation of the party.

"Main na ayon aisa kaise ho sakta hai, Neena ji." (How is it possible that I don't come, Neena ji?)

"Chalo at least humara 1 beta toh hoga." (That's good, at least 1 of our son will be there.)

"Matlab? Ayush...mann nahi aaraha?" During the movie they all became like a family and Neena would treat both of them as her sons just like in the movie, well, not exactly like the movie but still; that's why Jitu knows instantly who she is talking about. (Meaning? Ayush...mann isn't coming?)

"Nahi, lagta nahi hai, kyunki uski next film ki promotions shuru hone wali hai na." (No, it does not seem like he will come as his film's promotions are starting.)

"Oh. Haan uske liye toh kaafi busy time hoga." He can see Neena ji is sad over this and so is Jitu. When he heard about the party, he just hoped this will be another chance to meet Ayushmann and everyone else too but he feels disappointment seeping in when he hears he will not be there. (Oh. Then indeed it must be quite the busy time for him.)

"Koi baat nahi, main hon na. Dekhna bohut hungama kareinge aur baad mein usko jealous kareinge." He is successful in making Neena laugh at this finally bit of sadness fading away. After they hang up, Jitu is actually excited to see their Zyada Saavdhan family once again. (No worries, i'm here. Just wait and watch, we will have so much fun and we will make him jealous.)

On the day when party is held, Ayushmann's mind keeps going on to the party as he is busy with work but his heart is not fully into it. It shouldn't be a big deal but somehow missing out on this party is hurting him more than he imagined and he has no idea why but he knows he really wants to meet the gang again. His phone's notifications keep blowing up as the time for party is near with everyone updating him about the party making him feel more sad for missing out, he really wants to go there instead of sitting in the a damn room working on promotions. For the first time, he is feeling low with his heart not there at all.

"Tumhe kisi ne nahi roka, chale jao na party par." Tahira tells him when he speaks to her for 5th time in a day and whole day she has been hearing about the party and sensing how much he wants to be there. (No one is stopping you, go to the party.)

"Par kaam..." (But work...)

"Kal bhi ho sakta." A bit of encouragement from Tahira helps him and finally he decides that enough of mopping around and time to take action. He reschedules after literally requesting everyone, for tomorrow early morning before heading home to get ready for party on the way he lets Tahira knows about the plans and asks her if she is in mood for party as well and she is happy to go with him even she was missing the gang. (It can be done tomorrow as well.)

Once they get to the party, Ayushmann finds almost everyone has gathered there. He feels so good to be reunited with team once again.

They all welcome him and are so happy to see him and Tahira. Neena ji pulls his ears for his dramatics but then hugs him tightly. One by one he manages to find everyone from the team greeting them so happily.

"Finally mehfil mein rang jamane wala agaya." Chadha teases Ayushmann who blushes at that. (Finally the life of party is here.)

"Toh kya hum kam hai kya?" Gajraj ji replies to Chadha and they all share a good laugh. Meanwhile, Ayushmann keeps looking around trying to find someone but is not able to see him. (So we are not enough?)

"Kisse dhoond rahe ho?" Gajraj ji asks him. (Who are you looking for?)

"Jitu nahi aya?" (Jitu didn't come?)

"Arre aya hai na... abhi toh yahin tha." Gajraj sir replies looking around and then suddenly calls Neena. (Yes, he did come... he was just here.)

"Neena ji, Jitu kahan hai?" Ayushmann almost winces, he didn't wanted to draw attention to it. "Woh shayad terrace pe gaya hai phone call receive karna." Receiving his answer, Ayushmann quietly slips away to find Jitu.

Jitu was on the phone when Ayushmann finally found him on terrace as soon Jitu feels someone feels behind him, he turns and is frozen in his place. Ayushmann is right in front of him, looking at beautiful and hot as ever. He is smiling at him and Jitu's heart almost stomach, Ayushmann doesn't say anything but he gestures towards him. Jitu looks closely and remembers he is on the phone and Ayushmann is reminding him of that. Recovering, he hangs up saying 'I'll call you back later.' As soon he hangs up, Ayushmann moves forward and wraps him in his arms, hugging him tightly. Jitu's hands freeze as he tries to remember how to respond and finally his arms moves on his back and hugs him back tightly. He just melts into this hug. He missed this, hugging Ayushmann, seeing him there, feeling him; not really wanting to but they break away from hug.

"Kaisa hai?" (How are you?)

"Tu toh nahi anay wala tha?" (I thought you weren't coming?)

They both speak at the same time and Jitu feels his cheeks warming as blush spreads his face. He didn't meant to but this was first thing on his mind. Because he was highly disappointed when he heard Ayushmann wouldn't be able to make it but now seeing him here, Jitu cannot believe it. Ayushmann laughs at his question, eyes dancing mischievously.

"Dukhi hogaya ke main agaya?" (You are sad that I am here?)

"Arre nahi... pagal hai kya? Main toh..." (Of course not... are you mad? I was just...)

"Pichli baar tumne surprise de diya toh maine socha es bar main surprise kardon sabko." Jitu's blush deepens when Ayushmann reminds him about the concert, they never brought it up in their phone calls or messages, ever. There seemed to be an unspoken rule about not talking about Chandigarh. (Last time you surprised me so I thought t surprise you this time.)

"Chal bata... kaisa hai?" Ayushmann stirs conversation to safe side seeing Jitu zoning away. (Anyways tell, how are you?)

"Haan theek hon.. tum kaise ho?" (Yes, I am okay... how are you?)

"Acha hon par abhi bohut thaka hon." Jitu just looks at him with amused expressions. (I'm okay but very tired.)

"Arre wah... yeh toh rhyme hai. Kya thought hai." Ayushmann says as his hands mimic 'wah wah', they both laugh at this and just like that they fall into their routine how they used to be on set together. (Wow, this rhymes. What a thought.)

The party goes on and everyone is having a blast and then Jitu meets with Tahira when she finally corners him pulling him in a hug.

"Kahan gayab ho?" (Where did you vanish off to?)

"Nahi... toh bas woh main." He almost stutters trying to understand what she is talking about and Tahira chuckles at him. (No... I was just...)

"Jabse movie promotions hogaye tum toh gayab hi hogaye. Aao, kabhi ghar bhi ayo." (Since the promotions you have been vanished. Come, to our house as well someday.)

"Nahi woh, bas Kota Factory ki script pe kaam kar raha tha toh kaafi busy tha." (It's not like that, I have been busy with Kota Factory's script.)

"Haan Ayushmann bata rahe thay. Bohut miss karte hain tumhe." Jitu's heart almost stops at this, he isn't sure whether Tahira is genuinely saying this or is she testing him. He looks at her and manages to smile not knowing what to say to the wife of man he has harbouring feelings for. (Yes, Ayushmann was telling me about it. He misses you a lot.)

"Waise Chindagrh tak jaa sakte ho aur ik hi shehr mein hote howe ghar nahi aa sakte." Jitu's face almost loses colour at this. (By the way you can go all the way to Chindigarh to see him and despite being in same city can't come to our home.)

"I am really sorry," slips from his tongue.

"For what? Main toh itna hi keh rahi hon ke Ayushmann ke liye tum bohut special ho aur bohut time baad aik aisa dost mila hai unhe. He cares a lot about you, so please don't hurt him. Okay?" With this she goes back to her husband leaving Jitu in shock as he processes Tahira's words not knowing what to make of them. 'Does she know?' The thought almost gives him a heart attack right there but he manages to stay on his feet as he tries to rationalise it. (For what? I am just saying you are quite special for Ayushmann, after quite a long time he has found a friend like you. He cares a lot about you, so please don't hurt him.)

He knows and seen Ayushmann and Tahira's relationship, how close they are and how open they are with each other which is admirable. Of course, Tahira knows him being in Chandigarh, she knows how much he and Ayushmann stay in contact yet her words feel genuine and just worried about her husband getting hurt. But by what? Him? He will never hurt Ayushmann; he cannot imagine to do that rather he stay quiet and burn with his own feelings than open up about them. Or maybe she had seen when he had distanced himself from them after the movie and was talking about that.

During the movie they all became so good friends and Jitu leaving them as soon promotions were done would of course cause an alarm. He has been more in touch with Gajraj ji and Maanvi of course as they are also TVF family but with others he does feel guilty about not keeping in touch a lot, apart from Ayushmann. His head is spinning with everything going through his mind making him feel so uncertain about everything.

"Kya dukhi ghazal wala expression lekar baitha hai... party hai, kuch toh enjoy kar." When he comes back realises that Maanvi has joined him. (Why are you sitting here with sad song's expressions... it's a party, let's enjoy it.)

"Kuch nahi, yaar." (It's nothing, yaar.)

"Nahi.. koi bahana nahi aur sad hona toh not allowed hai." Saying this Maanvi drags Jitu to life of party, on dance floor. (Nope... no excuse and you are not allowed to be sad.)

"Make space everyone... ab humare beech Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan ke sabse best dancer arahe hain apna jalwa dikhane." Jitu just wants ground to open up and swallow him up. (Make some space everyone... now we have between us the best dancer of Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan who will take the floor.)

"Kya kar rahi hai?" Jitu whispers trying to get away from dance floor but as he turns, Ayushmann standing in front of him with his trademark smile. (What are you doing?)

"Aik dance to h banta hi hai, Jitu ji..." (You owe us at least one dance, Jitu ji.)

"I'll kill you." He mouths to Ayushmann who laughs loudly and drags him back on dance floor.

Jitu tries hard to get out of dance but between Maanvi and Ayushmann he is trapped and soon everyone starts cheering for Jitu.

"Come on." Ayushmann gestures him but Jitu is reluctant but then cheering gets louder and suddenly 'Array Pyaar Karle' song starts to play and Ayushmann and Maanvi cheer. In the end, Jitu gives in and Ayushmann joins him on the dance floor and they do their iconic steps on the song.

At some point Hitesh also makes speech thanking everyone getting involve in this project and making it what it is today. They all talk about all the love and appreciation they are still getting over the movie and feel thankful to be part of project. Rest of night is spent enjoying the party at some point people start leaving. When Jitu tries to slip away bit goodbye, Ayushmann catches him.

"Abhi jaa rahe ho?" (You are leaving now?)

"Haan kaafi late hogaya hai aur..." (It's very late and...)

"Kya yaar, itni jaldi." Ayushmann whines and Jitu looks at his watch, it's almost 4 in the morning. (What yaar, so soon?)

"Subah ke 4 baje jaldi hain?" Ayushmann rolls his eyes. (4am in the morning is soon?)

"Aur tumhe bhi toh promotions ke liye jana hai. Bhool gaye?" It seems he almost did forgot because as it hits him, Ayushmann face palms himself and Jitu laughs. (And you have promotions in the morning. You forgot?)

"Itna enjoy kar raha tha ke yaad hi nahi raha." Ayushmann has this look on his face and Jitu is sure his face is mirroring that look. (I was enjoying so much that it slipped out of my mind.)

Haan, enjoy toh bohut kiya. Acha laga... hum sab phirse aik saath howe. Miss kar raha tha bohut." (Yes, I have enjoyed a lot. It felt good... that we all got together once again. I was missing it.)

"Main bhi." Jitu heart skips a beat as Ayushmann whispers lightly somehow this confession seems private. (Me too.)

"I'm glad you came." The words fall from Jitu's mouth before he can filter them, he doesn't know why he is unable to control himself in front of this man.

"Me too." Ayushmann unaware of inner battle going on within Jitu whispers yet again with a pure heart warming smile.

"Chal... phir mileinge." Jitu wants to leave before he can cause anymore damage. (Come on... we will meet again.)

"Haan... phir mileinge." Ayushmann replies and this time Jitu initiates the hug. They hold onto each other just a second longer before breaking away, bidding goodbye, Jitu finally leaves. (Yes... we will meet again.)


So... how was it? ;) Just a teaser about next chapter, it's going to be very interesting with bit of flashbacks. ;)