Here's the new chapter. :) REVISED CHAPTER UPDATED.


HEARTSTRINGS::Jitu/Ayushmann

Jitu's relationship with his parents, his family has been bit rocky since he decided to come to Mumbai to persue acting. Of course, his parents didn't approve of that especially since he finished his IIT and then decided to shift his career into acting. Then of course after years he started to get films his debut Gone Kesh was alright but then he got his big break with Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan' and of course, onee again his family disapproved of his choices, nothing new in that. Since their last conversation they have been on rocky ground which was after the movie released and their feedback was okay as he expected though, they did enjoy the film so Jitu can count it as a win.

And then it happens, so unexpected. The shooting had begun for the Kota Factory Season 2 and that was Jitu's current priority he is in Kota during the shooting. It was quite hectic day for him, getting home he just wanted to go to sleep. But of course his plans don't work out as his phone rings and looking at screen he knows its from home, with a sigh he picks up the phone.

"Jitu, kaisa hai beta?" (Jitu, how are you son?)

"Main theek hon, Mummy aap kaise ho? Papa, sab log theek hain na?" (I'm fine, Mummy, how are you? How is Papa and everyone else?)

"Haan hum sab theek hain." His mum's cheering tone raises suspicions but then he hears his father's voice in background. (We all are good.)

"Haan Jitu hai." Suddenly his both parents are on the phone and Jitu hopes all is okay. Oddly enough, they ask him about his work and he tells them he is shooting for Kota Factory and he keeps waiting for other shoe to drop. And then it does. His father tells him he is proud of him for doing the movie and his mother also agrees and Jitu does not know how to react. It comes as a huge shock to Jitu and he is overwhelmed, almost in tears. This is huge for him. In a way it seems like they are finally accepting and respecting Jitu and his work. (Yes, it's Jitu.)

They say their piece and after they hang up Jitu sits there for sometime as he tries to process exactly what happened. He tries to make sense of the conversation but the phone calls has caused his emotions to run high and he isn't able to think straight. He is just an emotional mess and that's how he ends up calling the only person he would want to share this moment with. Or maybe he is letting his emotions get over him.

"Hey, Jitu! Finally aaj tujhe bhi call karne ka khayal aya." Ayushmann's cheerful voice does nothing to sooth his emotions in fact it does the opposite, tears rolling down hard and fast. (Hey, Jitu. Finally even you thought of me to call me.)

"Jitu?" There is worry in his tone and maybe that does it and sobs breaks out from his throat. Hearing that Ayushmann becomes more alert and gives his full attention to Jitu.

"Jitu, kya howa?" He tries to form words but they get stuck in his throat and his sobbing increase. Ayushmann's heart is sinking but he tries to stay calm as he stays on phone while Jitu is having a meltdown. He keeps repeating 'I'm here. I'm not going anywhere, I'm right here with you.' (Jitu, what happened?)

Ayushmann's words finally managed to calm Jitu enough to be able to speak.

"Sorry." That's his first words and Ayushmann's heart breaks.

"Pagal mat ban... bata mujhe, kya howa hai?" Ayushmann doesn't let his voice shake, doesn't let Jitu know that he himself is on verge of tears hearing Jitu's meltdown. (Don't be silly... talk to me, what happened?)

"They said they are proud of me." That's all he manages to say before another sobs wrenches out of him. They. His family. His parents. Then it hits Ayushmann what this really is about.

"Jitu..." He softly calls for his attention.

"Hhmm." He replies after his sobs are lessened.

"Talk to me." Ayushmann whispers.

"Ayush..." There it is again, Jitu calling him with that nickname and with such softness. Ayushmann bashing away these thoughts keeps his focus on Jitu. He needs him right now.

"Kabhi nahi socha tha ke usne main yeh sunnonga. Mummy, Pappa, dono... they are proud of me. They are proud ke maine Shubh Mangal Zyda Savdhaan ki. Mujhe yaqeen nahi araha ke yeh sach hai yaan nahi." He takes deep breathe to recollect himself before continuing. (I never thought I'll hear them say this to me. Mummy, Papa both of them... they are so proud of me. They are proud that I did Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan. I cannot believe whether it's true or a dream.)

"'I'm proud of you my son.' Saari zindagi yehi sunna chaha aur aaj jab suna hai toh samajh nahi araha, yaqeen nahi ata." (All my life I wanted to hear these words from the and now I can't believe it.)

"Toh yaqeen karle. Kyunki yeh sach hai. Agar unhone be aaj kaha toh eska matlab yeh nahi ke woh kabhi proud nahi thay. Humesha se thay par kehne mein time lag gaya." Ayushmann replies. (You should believe it, because it is true. If they have said it today that doesn't mean they were not proud of you before. They were always proud of you but it took them time to say it.)

"Tujhe kaise pata?" Jitu counters him. (How do you know?)

"Because I know you, Jitu. Tum jitne ache insaan ho, jitna acha dil hai, tumhara jo creative mind hai, tumhari guts, strength. Sab dekhi hain maine, sab janta hon esi keh yeh raha hon. Aur maine kaha nahi meri galati hai but I'm so proud of you, Jitu." Jitu is stunned at his friend's words. He lets Ayushmann's words wash over him, bringing warmth in his heart, fresh tears brimming in his eyes causing a sudden calmness around and within Jitu. Also, in that moment he knows, what truly Ayushmann is for him.

(Because I know you, Jitu. You are a great person with a pure heart, your creative mind, your guts, strength; I have seen all of it and I know it that's why I am telling you this. And it's my fault that I have not said it but I am so proud of you, Jitu.)

"Thank you." Jitu whispers after few moments of silence.

There is so much Ayushmann wants to say but the silence between them feels so comfortable, he does not want to disturb it. He just stays on the other side of phone quietly listening to sound of Jitu's breathing. He can hear Jitu calming down and coming out from his meltdown.

They don't speak but Jitu can hear Ayushmann on the other side and that is more than enough. Even though his wild heart wants nothing more than to see that man and fall into his arms. But for now he puts phone on speaker before he hugs the phone which is contacting them, imagining hugging the one person he wants to hug so badly right now.

Ayushmann stays on the phone until he is certain Jitu is okay. Until Jitu tells him that yes, he is okay now and he will be fine. Reluctantly but with a promise to check in later Ayushmann finally lets Jitu go. They do have a small 'you hang up. No you hang up,' moment bringing smile to both of their faces before they finally hang up together. As soon he hangs up, Ayushmann holds the nearest wall for support as he takes deep breaths. He had been controlling his emotions in order to stay strong for Jitu but now they are hitting him strong. Tears holding back in his eyes start to fall.

He was on set when Jitu called, it took him by surprise as Jitu rarely calls and usually a text before the call to make sure Ayushmann is free. Even though, Ayushmann told him he can call anytime, no need to text but Jitu is Jitu. Picking up the phone what he accepted to be a cheerful response when he was met with silence followed by sobbing, his heart sank and worst case scenarios running through his mind.

When finally Jitu was able to speak between his crying, it broke his heart to know why Jitu is having a meltdown. Family. And their acceptance. No matter how much we grow up, there is always a child in us wanting nothing more than parent's acceptance and them to be proud of us. Ayushmann knew that Jitu had a constant battle going on with his family while working on this film. There would be days during their filming where Jitu would be down and slowly Ayushmann realised it would be when he would've spoken to his family. It took them time but finally accepted that Jitu is doing that film and after trailer came out they were okay with it but Ayushmann knew for Jitu it has been a huge battle.

Ayushmann realises he never said 'I'm proud of you' to Jitu before today and somehow it doesn't make him feel better. Jitu is so talented, hard working, he literally gave his blood, sweat, tears for this movie and he truly deserves all the love and appreciation he is getting but he also deserves far more. He ears are still ringing with Jitu's sobs, he wishes he could be there to envelop him in a tight hug.

Seriously, Jitu's family doesn't understand what a gem their son is and somewhere deep down it angers him. How he just sobbed over their praise shows how much he craved for this till now. His thoughts are disrupted when he is asked to be on set again. Suddenly Ayushmann remembers he was in middle of his shooting. He takes few moments to compose himself, wiping away any traces of tears and letting his heart become steady before letting his lips turn into a smile, his fake smile as he walks back to the set and resumes shooting.


I hope you all enjoyed it. :)