This was such a long chapter so I have split it in two... will carry on where I am finishing this chapter off in next chapter.
A lot of coming, be prepared. ;)
HEARTSTRINGS::Jitu/Ayushmann
Jitu gets home completely drained yet still buzzing with the happiness and excitement of the party. Ayushmann being there was a surprise but what a wonderful surprise it was. Seeing him yet again after the concert had really made Jitu so happy he could not explain. But then he remembers his encounter with Tahira in the party which left him unsettled. He just cannot shake off the feeling that Tahira knows and that is making him want to be swallowed whole by earth. Of course, he is not sure, it is possible he is overreacting but the way Tahira confronted him he just felt that she knew something but then the way she has been towards him, friendly and so happy seeing him Ayushmann happy, Jitu does not know what to think of it.
His mind once again goes back to Ayushmann and how much fun they had, he is indeed the life of the party. The way he lights up entire room by just his presence and Jitu craves to be under those lit eyes so full of life and love. They danced together once again and Jitu is unable to get that out of his head. Jitu knows he isn't the good dancer out there or barely a dancer but still how Ayushmann manages to make him dance to his tune with just one look he will not be able to understand it.
Shaking off all other thoughts he just remembers Ayushmann's smiling face as he closes him eyes to get some sleep.
"Bohut hi maza aya aaj." Ayushmann is still vibrating with excitement as they reach home from party almost at 6 am, after Jitu left they also didn't stay for long finally bidding goodbyes they leave. (Had so much fun today.)
"Haan itna maza kiya hai ab thora araam bhi karlo. Warna promotions ka kya hoga jo kuch hi ghanton mein hain." Tahira reminds him and Ayushmann's face falls thinking about it. (Yes, you had too much fun now it's time to rest. Or else what will happen to you during promotions in few hours.)
"Kya yaar, itna acha mood tha..." (What yaar, I was in such a good mood...)
"Mood toh tha aur ab araam ki baari." (Yes, the good mood was there now time to rest.)
"Bohut maza aya sabse milkar bohut hi acha laga." (It was so much fun, felt good seeing everyone.)
"Haan jaanti hon dekh rahi thi ke bohut enjoy kiya party mein." (Yes, I know... I could see how much you enjoyed there.)
"Haan of course, aur Jitu ko dekha tha? Jo aag laga di dance floor pe." He laughs at remembering their shenanigans at dance floor. Once Maanvi and Ayushmann literally dragged Jitu at dance floor and when he finally danced with Ayushmann on 'Are pyaar kar le' after that Ayushmann and Maavi did not let him go that easily. (Yes, of course, and did you see Jitu? He set dance floor on fire.)
"Haan Jitu se bhi finally baat hoyi meri." He looks at Tahira who has a curious look on her face. (Yes, I finally spoke to Jitu as well.)
"Kya baat?" She laughs at his expression which changed from laughter to serious in mili second. (About what?)
"Arre, yehi ke 'aao kabhi haveli pe'." This causes Ayushmann laugh and Tahira joins in. (That he should visit us more often.)
"Tum toh usko ghar nahi bolate toh maine socha main hi invite kardon." Ayushmann is bit confused at this. (You don't invite him to our home so I thought let me do the deed.)
"Aisa toh nahi hai." He finally says after thinking about it. Of course, he had invited to Jitu to their home since they signed the movie and so many times Jitu had been here but yes, since the movie is done, promotions is done, he hasn't been here nor Ayushmann actually invited him, why? He doesn't know. (It's not like that.)
"Toh? tum dono itne ache dost ho aur clearly aik dosre ko itna miss karte ho." At this Ayushmann's ears go slightly pinking thinking about possibility of Jitu missing him but at same time it leaves him bit confused. (Then? You both are really good friends and clearly you both miss each other.)
"Bas na... tum jaanti ho ke humari life kaisi hai aik dam phir busy hogaye aur Jitu bhi apni life mein busy." Ayushmann doesn't know whether it was explanation for Tahira or himself but he ends this discussion here and Tahira doesn't say anything further either as they get some sleep. (It's just... you know how busy our lives are and we just got busy with new projects.)
Ayushmann does not get any sleep whatsoever as he wakes up in less than 3 hours to get ready for the promotions. Today is going to be a nightmare and he will need tons of coffee in order to get through this day. He lets Tahira sleep as he leaves for work but his mind still going through the brief conversation between him and Tahira along with the moments from party last night.
He barely manages to get through the day without literally falling asleep during his first round of promotions, even though these promotions aren't as cringed as their SMZS and somewhat that really makes him angry. But he does his job without joking around today as he is clearly not in mood.
"Sab theek hai na, Ayushmann?" His manager asks him. Ayushmann just hhmms but manager asks him again. (Is everything alright, Ayushmann?)
"Theek hon na, bas thaka howa hon, sahi se soya nahi." His tone is clearly indicating that he does not want to be challenged so manager just nods. The rest of day goes like this with everything still so fresh in his mind. (Everything is fine, I just haven't slept well.)
Once he gets home is when Ayushmann finally feel the nightmare is over. 'Not attending anymore parties.' He thinks as he freshens up letting all his tiredness wash away from home. Tahira and kids are gone to his parents and Ayushmann enjoys the peace and quiet finally laying down to get some much needed rest.
Once there is silence, Ayushmann is finally able to hear his thoughts which had been roaming around his head making all sort of noise; making a discovery that most of his thoughts are occupying Jitu. Which is a terrifying discovery and no matter how many times he tried to divert his mind it would always come back to Jitu. The shy and charming Jitu whose eyes speaks miles more than his mouth because he is like that, always quite careful when to speak and where to speak. Whereas, Ayushmann was always the one to speak his mind.
He thinks about how this one person came into his life and suddenly became one of his closet friends. Their friendship is not like any others it's different, it always has been because Jitu isn't like others, Jitu is different. Jitu is pure, he is honest and untouched by the fakeness of this industry. This isn't the first time his mind is going back to Jitu but this time his thoughts are getting more louder. There were few times where his subconscious mind would start to draw parallels between Jitu and Aman, between Kartik and Ayushmann and he would shift his thoughts from there instantly.
Yes Jitu is different and yes the friendship developed between them is quite special and it is just that. Right? He always looks forward to hearing from Jitu, his messages, his phone calls always put a smile on Ayushmann's face. He doesn't know how Jitu does it but talking to him, Ayushmann almost feel better no matter how stressed or annoyed he is be. Surprisingly, it was Tahira who pointed that out first few months ago and Ayushmann felt unknown guilt building up but she kissed his forehead and smiled saying she is glad that Ayushmann has a true bond and Jitu is really a true friend.
Ayushmann knows how industry works and how mostly people are here friends with their own benefits attached to it, so it's rare to find true friendships without any conditions or benefits attached to it. He was lucky to find Bhumi, she is incredible, sweet and one of best co-stars he ever worked with.
Then comes Jitu to their rescue. When they were struggling to cast someone for Aman Tripathi. Ayushmann shouldn't be surprised but he was when one by one they faced rejection, no matter the excuse, it was clearly written on almost everyone's face, they don't want to take the risk. Then one day there comes in Jitu, Hitesh tells him and Ayushmann remembers meeting this guy years ago who also messed up his name 'Anshumann Khuranna'.
Ayushmann laughs at this now but at that time it did sting. When he meets Jitu again for the film he is taken aback by guy's silent charming persona. Silent, serious yet charming at the same time. They do table read and sparks are already flying everywhere.
"Hi Jitu. I'm Ayushmann." First meeting and Jitu's is star struck meeting Ayushmann once again.
"I..." He almost says, I know, we have met before but stops himself remembering he had called him by a wrong name, desperately hoping he doesn't remember it.
"Hi... kaise hain aap?" (Hi... how are you?)
"Baap re... aap? Itni izzat woh bhi script reading se pehle hi?" Ayushmann jokes does the trick and Jitu feels more comfortable instantly. Hitesh calls them for the initial character reading. They both have to do the scene where they are running away from goons after helping Devika. (Oh dear... aap? So much respect and that too without reading the script first?)
Jitu is initially nervous but watching Ayushmann transforming into Kartik so easily gives him confidence and he becomes Aman. One scene, then another, then another... they do at least 4-5 scenes finishing up with them reading the train scene where they kiss. Jitu is nervous but Hitesh tells them they don't need to kiss but just enact the scene and they do that. As soon Ayushmann holds his face in his palms and looks into Jitu's eyes and says 'I really need your touch,' Jitu's throat dries up, feeling so thirsty as if he has been thirsty for years. Meanwhile, everyone in the room can visibly see the sparks flying and that's when Hitesh knows Jitu is perfect for Aman and he knew their chemistry will surely create sparks on screen.
"That was great. Tum dono toh ki chemistry toh bohut zabardast hai." Hitesh tells them and Jitu cannot help but to blush which doesn't go unnoticed by Ayushmann. Hitesh tells them, they can now finalise rest of cast and start the shooting soon. (That was great. You too have a great chemistry together.)
"Matlab yeh role..." (Meaning this role...)
"Aapka hai agar aapko aitraaz nahi." Ayushmann tells Jitu. (Is yours if you want it.)
"Mujhe kyun aitraaz hoga? Jabke main yeh role karna chahta tha jabse script mili mujhe." Ayushmann cannot help but to feel slightly proud of Jitu. (Why wouldn't I want it? Whereas I have been wanting to do thiss role since I have read the script.)
This guy just came in and suddenly Ayushmann cannot help but to feel yes, this is it. He is Aman. He didn't felt sure before but now he cannot imagine anyone else being in Aman Tripathi's shoes.
"Jitu, accepting this role... tumhe pata hai na ke..." Jitu looks at Ayushmann trying to understand where he is going. (Jitu, accepting this role... you know what this means...)
"I mean, tumhari family, tumhari girlfriend yaan... I mean, koi problem toh nahi hogi?" Ayushmann realises he is babbling and looks down while blushing and Jitu stands there blinking, processing what is Ayushmann asking him, once it makes sense to him, Jitu finally replies. (I mean, your family, your girlfriend or... what I mean that it'll be not an issue?)
"Pehle toh... I'm not in a relationshiop." Ayushmann looks up in surprise and Jitu blushes, he doesn't know why he needs to clarify this but he just does. (Firstly... I'm not in a relationship.)
"And secondly, maine yeh role sab accept kiya hai kyunki main yeh karna chahta hon. Kyunki mujhe es film par, eske message par, Hitesh par, aap par poora bharosa hai. Thirdly, yehi soch badalna chahte hain na toh phir eski shuruwaat toh ghar se hi honi chahiye, right?" Ayushmann's heart bursts into happiness with Jitu's response, it must be showing on his face because Jitu is giving him shy but warm smile which is saying 'it'll be alright'. (And secondly, I accepted this role because I want to do this. Because, I believe in this film, the message of this film, in Hitesh and I believe in you, completely.)
That day, Ayushmann knew SMZS will be very special and it will certainly create an impact on everyone. This is the first movie for which he was so scared and desperately wanted to do well and when he found his better half, or rather Kartik's better half, his worries started to fade. Jitu came along with this strange confidence that Ayushmann was left in awe.
I hope you'll enjoyed it. :)
