marriage with beast

Aastik carries the scent of another woman.

Aastik and Arunima’s anniversary party was at its peak. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, except the two people who were supposed to be the center of attention. Neither Aastik had any interest in the celebration, nor did Arunima want to stay there. But both of them were present, only to keep up appearances for the world.

Aastik’s eyes were fixed only on Pushkar Ji, who was supposed to hand over his mafia throne to him tonight. He was simply waiting for the announcement. On the other side, Arunima was still in Aastik’s room, getting ready. She looked at herself in the mirror and found that she looked perfectly fine—just like the daughter-in-law of the Raichand family. She let out a sigh of relief, yet she still didn’t have the courage to go downstairs and stand beside Aastik.

Arunima kept staring nervously at the door. Suddenly, there was a knock. Her breath hitched. Was it Aastik? Was he angry again because she was late? With trembling fear, she slowly asked, “Who is it?”

“Ma’am, Mr. Raichand is calling you to the party,” a servant replied from outside.

Hearing the servant’s voice made her even more nervous. She whispered, “Mr. Raichand? There are many Mr. Raichands here. Who are you talking about? Say the name.”

The servant replied, “I’m talking about your husband. He wants you to come downstairs. There’s an important announcement.”

“Alright, you may go. I’m coming,” Arunima said softly.

The servant left. Arunima looked at herself in the mirror one more time, took a deep breath, cleaned her face gently with a tissue, picked up her bag, and stepped out of the room.

With slow, hesitant steps, she returned to the party. At that moment, Abha was standing with Neha Ji. Abha smiled at her and waved. Arunima smiled back politely.

Neha Ji then said to her, “Go, stand beside Aastik.”

The moment Arunima saw Aastik near the stage, fear again washed over her face. She slowly walked toward him.

Aastik’s focus was nowhere near Arunima. His eyes were glued to Pushkar Ji. But then he caught the faint scent of a woman’s perfume. He turned, only to find Arunima standing there.

His face hardened with anger. He gave her one cold glance and immediately looked away. Her presence or absence meant nothing to him. He only wanted Pushkar Ji to make the announcement.

Pushkar Ji had refused to announce anything until the entire family was present, which was why Aastik had sent a servant to call Arunima.

Aastik and Arunima stood with Pushkar Ji near the stage. He gestured to Neha Ji to come forward. Neha Ji walked up, followed by Abha and Bela. Chetan had to join them as well, even though he didn’t want to—he was a part of the family too.

Then Pushkar Ji looked toward Vikram, who stood smiling in the crowd.

In a stern voice, Pushkar Ji said, “Vikram, even though you are only Aastik’s friend, we have always considered you our own son. And you have always been a part of this family.”

Saying this, Pushkar Ji extended his hand toward Vikram. Vikram smiled and stepped onto the stage, standing next to Aastik. Aastik placed his arm around Vikram’s shoulder, pulling him close. There were smiles everywhere—but two of those smiles were fake.

Once the family photo was taken, Pushkar Ji took the mic and addressed the crowd:

“Ladies and gentlemen, first of all, thank you for joining us today in our moment of happiness. Today is the first wedding anniversary of my eldest son Aastik Raichand and our daughter-in-law Arunima. Honestly, I never expected Aastik to maintain this marriage for a full year. But since they have completed one year, we organized this celebration. However, the purpose of this party is not only to celebrate their anniversary. There is something more important I wish to announce.”

Aastik had no interest in any part of this speech. Everyone else was listening attentively, but he only cared about what was coming next. A wicked smile curved his lips as he looked at Pushkar Ji.

Pushkar Ji extended his hand toward Aastik and continued:

“My eldest son, Aastik Raichand... the one who has taken my company to new heights. I don’t need to explain how good of a businessman he is. Today, I want to give him another responsibility—one connected to my illegal empire.”

Aastik’s excitement kept rising. Chetan’s expression darkened.

Pushkar Ji looked at both Aastik and Arunima and called them forward.

“Aastik, Arunima… come here. I need to announce something important for both of you.”

Aastik looked at Arunima with cold, rotating eyes. Arunima lowered her gaze and quickly walked to Pushkar Ji. He made her stand next to him while Aastik stood on the opposite side.

Then Pushkar Ji made the announcement:

“Many of you already know that I am the leader of the underworld. And eventually, I must hand over this empire to the next generation. I know Aastik has the capability to become a great leader. But nothing in this world is earned solely through capability. I had to work hard, sacrifice a lot, to reach this position. I gained much, but I also lost plenty.

Similarly, my son too has lost a lot. But now, it is time for him to gain. So, tonight, I announce before everyone that within the next year, I will retire from the mafia throne. And after me, the next king of the underworld will be my son—Aastik Raichand.”

The hall erupted with thunderous applause. Everyone was thrilled. Arunima, however, felt nothing. She already knew she belonged to an underworld family. Her own father worked legally, but this family was built on crime. This announcement made no difference to her. Pushkar Ji also clarified that the next one year would be Aastik’s training period in the mafia.

Aastik’s face was glowing with happiness. Pushkar Ji, Neha Ji, Abha, even Vikram—everyone looked happy for him.

But the announcement wasn’t over.

Pushkar Ji raised his hand to silence the crowd and said:

“Wait! The excitement is not over yet. There is another announcement. An empire cannot survive without an heir. I received this throne only after my successor had already come into this world—Aastik, my son. Only then was I allowed to rule.”

He paused and then declared:

“So today, I announce that after one year, Aastik can take my place ONLY if he gives this underworld its next heir.”

The hall fell silent.

Then Pushkar Ji repeated loudly:

“Aastik, Arunima… within the next year, you two must have a child. That child will become the next ruler of this mafia empire.”

Thunderous applause erupted again. But Aastik and Arunima’s faces went pale. They stared at Pushkar Ji in shock. Have a child within a year? They didn’t even live under the same roof. A child was impossible.

Arunima stumbled backward, numb. She didn’t care who saw her or what anyone thought. Only one thing echoed in her mind—Pushkar Ji had ordered her to give the mafia an heir within a year.

But that was impossible. She would never bring a child into this cruel world. And definitely not with Aastik.

“Aastik is not even capable of being a father, nor would he be a good one,” Arunima had realized long ago. She knew she meant nothing to him. And if he ever wanted a child, it wouldn’t be with her. Because Arunima had always sensed a strange scent on him.

As a woman, she knew he had another woman in his life. He never lived with Arunima, never stayed in her room, never touched her. Whenever he came home, she smelled another woman’s perfume on him—the woman he lived with in his other house.

Quietly, Arunima slipped out of the party and walked to the garden. Tears streamed down her face. She didn’t want anyone to see her pain.

Aastik noticed her absence but didn’t care. The only thing bothering him was that Pushkar Ji had given him an order—he had to have a child with Arunima within a year.