So... here's the next chapter.


HEARTSTRINGS::Jitu/Ayushmann

That kiss has stayed fresh in Ayushmann's mind since that evening. The taste of Jitu's lips did not leave him for a while. Hitesh was right they both have undeniable chemistry together it was proving right. But what Ayushmann did not know that soon Jitu will become so essential for him. The faith he had shown in the film, in Ayushmann it still makes him surprised.

That night when Jitu finally leaves and for the first time Ayushmann instantly misses someone's company terribly and it hasn't happened in a very long time. He has not met someone as intriguing as Jitu. Ayushmann knew that night that this movie will change his life forever, whether it would be for good or bad he didn't know and in a long time he was actually afraid of the unseen change.

If you ask Jitu when he actually fell for his co-star he will never be able to give you a straight answer, well, mostly because he spent so much of time in denial but when finally accepted his feelings he still finds himself unable to answer it. He just knew it was going to be a very special project when he said yes to Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan but never knew how much it'll end up changing his life and him as well along the way.

Jitu knew his family wouldn't be supportive so he avoided telling them until it was really necessary to tell them.

"Aare aisa konsa bada project hai?" (What kind of this big project is?)

"Film hai, dad." (It's a film, dad.)

"Chalo, finally, tumhari struggle ka kuch toh fiada howa." Damn, it hurt to hear it from his father, Jitu should be used to it by now but it still stung. (Good, finally, your struggle seems to be paying off.)

"Konsi film hai?" Oh the burning question and the answer of it gets stuck in Jitu's throat. (What film is it?)

"Bataonga jaldi." Jitu manages to avert the answer but as usual his father wasn't too pleased but what else to expect but at least he held off the answer for time being. (Will tell you about it soon.)

Until it became necessary to tell his family after they had shot half or movie, Jitu finally drops the bomb on his family. And of course, their reactions were as expected.

"Dimaag kharab hogaya hai es larke ka." He could hear his dad clearly despite him being away from phone. (This boy has lost his mind.)

"Mummy..."

"Jitu, yeh sab kya hai? Mujhe nahi pata tha ke tu yeh sab..." (Jitu, what is all this? I didn't know you would get involve in all this...)

"Yeh sab kya, Mummy? Aur esme ghalat kya hai? Itni achi movie hai, itna bara chance hai." (What all this, Mummy? What is wrong in this? It's such a good movie, such a big chance.)

"Ghalat kya hai? Lo, aapke sahabzaade yeh bhi nahi jaante ke kya ghalat hai." His father speaks over his mother and Jitu find himself close to snapping. (What is wrong? See, now your favourite son does not even know what is wrong in all this.)

"Yeh film chodh do." His mother ask him and Jitu gets shocked. (Leave this film.)

"Mummy kya bol rahi ho?" (Mummy what are you saying?)

"Tumhe agar humari izzat ka zara bhi khayal hai toh chodh do." It angers him how ignorant and unsupportive his parents are being currently. Before he could say anything, his father strikes yet again. (If you have any care for our respect, leave this film.)

"Kehdo esay ke film nahi chodhni toh hume chodh de. Humse raabta na kare, eski wajah se hum shaarmsaar nahi hosakte." With this phone line goes dead and Jitu sits there pale and unable to do anything. (Tell him if he can't leave the film then leave us. Don't contact us again, we cannot be humiliated because of him.)

They didn't even speak to him for days and it hurt. It made him want to do this movie even more hoping to change this reaction. He knew he was hoping for a lot but after meeting Ayushmann, Hitesh and rest of team, he knew they are creating something beautiful. He put 110% in this movie, giving his best and in process becoming too emotionally involved in this. When he thought things couldn't go more wrong he goes and falls for Ayushmann.

It was Ayushmann who noticed Jitu's change in mood, his behaviour and his dedication. Ayushmann being Ayushmann cannot let it go so he keeps chasing Jitu until he finally opens up to Ayushmann.

"Maine kaha tha na Jitu ke yeh film..." (I did tell you that the film...)

"Jaanta hon aur maine hi kaha tha ke yeh film karni hai mujhe. Es film ko chodhne ka sawaal hi nahi banta." Ayushmann cannot help but to admire the determination of Jitu. (I know and I told you that I want to do this film. Leaving the film is out of question.)

"Toh phir kya? Ghar walon ko chodh doge?" Jitu sighs running his hand through his hair not knowing what to say or do. Ayushmann can see hoe tormented Jitu is right now, he is hurting and it is hurting Ayushmann. He goes to Jitu and hugs him tightly and Jitu just melts against him. (Then what? You'll leave your family?)

"Samajh nahi araha ke kya karon." He mutters against Ayushmann's shirt. (I don't know what to do.)

"Fikar mat kar, sab theek hojayega. Dekhna jab movie ayegi na toh yeh sab ktina support kareinge." (Don't worry, everything will be alright. Just wait till the movie comes out, they all will support you.)

"Khush pehmi hai tumhari." (Keep on dreaming.)

"Hey!" Ayushmann tries to sooth Jitu who still feels restless.

"Darr lag raha hai mujhe." He admits while his face tucked away in Ayushmann's neck. (I'm scared.)

"Darr mat. Sab theek hojayega, dekhna." With this he places a kiss on Jitu's forehead and Jitu feels his nerves calming. How could he not with a man who stands there like a solid rock when Jitu is left alone by his own, when that man keeps invading Jitu's personal space even when he is Kartik or Ayushmann, when he gives that smile to Jitu and hugs him. (Don't be scared, everything will work out, just wait and see.)

It was inevitable, him falling for Ayushmann and doesn't scare Jitu as he thought it would. Because of course, it's a crush, it happen that's what keeps him going through the filming, his denial and disconnect; they are working together and it's natural. What shocks him that how less he is worried about the fact Ayushmann is a man. His freak out is the fact he formed a crush on Ayushmann Khurranna. Him thinking that it will fade with time after shooting ends was totally wrong, only it gets stronger with time, leaving him in a mess. After Chandigarh and then success get together at Neena Guptas party had changed that.

When he finally sat down to examine his feelings he comes to a solid conclusion that he has gone ahead and fallen for Ayushmann. He spent days and nights trying to dent and justify his feelings as crush but in the end he had come face to face with a fact that his feelings run far more deep than a mere crush. Then of course, Jitu does not handle this well, especially when Ayushmann is always there in back of his mind.

Also making his presence known through his messages. Always checking up on him with a quick hi or just sharing links of his new SMZS memes or links to articles, blog posts praising their film. Some days even sharing fanart of SMZS, turns out there was a whole 'Karman' fandom out there, as if 'Jitushmann' weren't enough. His heart would ache for the other man but Jitu decided to stay quiet and let it not come between their friendship. So he buried all those feelings deep down in a corner of his heart to lock away and continue to be the friend Ayushmann needs and deserves.

He tried distancing himself but of course the outcome of that was not what he expected so he knew he cannot block Ayushman out of his life, so he just have to deal with his feelings and not let anyone get a hint of it. They keep moving forward with their lives and their friendship keeps on growing despite their crazy schedules.

Also another good thing happens. After the trailers came out Jitu's family finally gave some sort of response, most of them were positive but his family still wasn't convinced about movie.

"Trailer acha lag raha hai movie ka." (Trailer looks good for the movie.)

"Movie bhi achi hai, Mummy." (Even the movie is good, Mummy.)

"Dekheinge toh pata chal jayega." (We'll know once we see it.)

"Toh kya aap log dekhne jayeinge?" Jitu couldn't believe his ears. (So you all will watch the movie?)

"Haan dekheinge toh sahi, teri film hai." It wasn't exactly what he was expecting but it was more than enough for Jitu. He knows expecting more would be foolish so he gets happy with what he got. (Yes, we will have to see it, it's your film.)

Of course, the movie released and it was a big success with such a positive response from all over the world and giving birth to their own fandom, Jitu couldn't be more prouder.

Thinking back Jitu remembers the night clearly as if it was just last night when he stepped foot into Ayushmann Khuranna's home not realising he was actually stepping into his life and after that their lives will never be the same. When he left Ayushmann's house that night, he knew that something is changing and this movie will change his life forever, for better or worse he had not known. Now looking back Jitu should've guessed that he was walking into a deep trouble with his heart worn at his sleeve.


I hope you'll enjoyed it. :)