The Gymnast's Escapade

When The Designer Becomes a Creep

Act 1, Scene 4

With the graceful smile lingering on their lips, Aashka and Raisha stood at the entrance of the modular kitchen in the Khandelwal Mansion watching the edgy man chop the vegetables with his skilful hands. As fast as his hands worked that loud his queries became to the Almighty who certainly started the trend of every father giving away his baby girl one day to someone else. But he didn't want to do it because he still couldn't forget how terrible he felt when his eldest daughter left him; the void hadn't subsided yet and he was forced to plan another giveaway ceremony already. How cruel!

"Why couldn't you have made a few changes in my case God? I so don't like this."

"You could've made a rule that those fathers who don't want their daughters to leave him are spared from the marriage traditions. I would've signed that petition first."

His endless queries went on for a few more seconds while the females suppressed their smiles; they shared knowing looks with the other and then without exchanging any word they stepped behind him and rested their heads on his back.

Aayush stopped cribbing and continued to work as he felt the two caressing his each of forearms. He didn't have to turn around to know which hand belonged to whom, he knew clearly that on his left stood his heart and, on his right, it was his heartbeat now.

"Big A, please stop stressing." Aashka requested calling the nickname all of them called him after Aarav joined their family. Having so many A's in the family, they titled all of them with the number in which they became part of the A clan, and obviously, the top spot belonged to their father.

Aayush left the knife on the counter and sighed knowing well that he was caught by the two ladies.

Raisha came beside him and he met his concerned eyes with her. She shook her head understanding already what was eating him up. He could lie to the world but not to her and his kids.

"Aashka, your Papa still doesn't know how to lie properly. Even after you three schooled him to lie, he still fails." The wife stated as a matter of fact and Aashka came to her side and crossed her arms over her chest feigning thoughtfulness as she gauged the reason on her father's face.

Together, the female's kept their one palm on his either cheek and gained his attention as he tried to avoid eye-contact with them.

"Aayush, do you think by not saying anything you'll be in peace?" Raisha asked stroking his cheek.

"Papa tell us what's troubling you because we both know that its not my competition that's bringing you at the edge. It's something else." Aashka supported her mother encouraging Aayush to speak his reason.

Aayush took a deep breath knowing that it was better to say then hide; he might as well find a solution if he shares his feelings with them. He took both of their palms in his hand and kept it over the other and grasped it tightly as if he was afraid to lose.

"What if Harsh is not the one for you? What if he steps in your life, messes you up and leaves you all broken? How will I mend you, Aashka? Along with you, Aarushi and Aaysha will feel the same pain. How will I stop the three of you from feeling that sting in your life? You three are inseparable—you feel everything of what the other feels; I don't want you three to feel this pain ever in your life, Aashka. I might seem selfish to allow Aarushi and Aaysha to not marry, but the reason is that it gives me some satisfaction that if they won't be involved in these things, you three will be saved from everything. These bonds are not as easy as they seem; they're put to test from time to time; what if you're not ready yet to take this test? What if later you feel that you made a mistake? I can't fail as a father, Aashka because if I did, I'll fail as a husband too. And I won't be able to bear it ever." He confessed finally his deepest reasons to have hesitancy in accepting the proposal.