In the office, instead of working, Qirat was too busy googling the most beautiful places in the world. She didn't want to go to Paris, or Maldives like most couples do. She didn't want to go to a busy, crowded city. She was looking for a small town, or village where there wouldn't be much crowd, where could find peace and serenity. 
By the end of the day, she had decided the destination. 
______________
"Hallstatt." Qirat told Zaroon. They were in their room after dinner. 
"What?" Zaroon asked. 
"Our honeymoon destination, Hallstatt." She repeated. 
"Where is that?" He frowned. 
She was sitting in front of the dressing, applying lotion on her legs, which was distracting him. "It is a small town in Austria."
He amusingly smiled at her. "When I'd asked you to decide a place, I was not expecting you to choose a town in Austria."
"Oh really!" She walked to the bed. "Then what were you expecting?" She got into the covers and he didn't delay even a second before pulling her close. She tried to get out of his clutches, but to no avail. Sighing, she gave up and let him cuddle her. It wasn't like she didn't like when he did that. 
"I was expecting more of Paris, New York, Maldives." He answered. 
"That's too mainstream." She said, turning in his arms to face him. "My choices are different."
"You never fail to amaze me." He leaned towards her, and for a second, her heart stopped beating thinking he was going to kiss her. But instead of her lips, he placed a kiss on her cute nose. 
"You can't just kiss me whenever you want." She gasped. 
"The last time I checked, you were my wife. So, yes, I can kiss you whenever I want." He pecked her nose again. 
She wiped her nose to remove his kiss in anger and glared at him. "I still haven't forgiven you, Mr Hussain."
"Trust me, you have forgiven me, Mrs Hussain." He said with a smile and hugged her closer before shutting his eyes. 
The next day, Zaroon told Rohit to arrange for the visas and tickets for Hallstatt. Ever since Zaroon had realised his feelings for Qirat, his behavior had slowly gone back to normal. He no longer shouted and scolded his employees. And the most glad about this was Rohit. He no longer had to endure his boss' tantrums and anger. 
They were supposed to leave on Friday night, and today was Tuesday. Qirat had reached home early from the office. There was a reunion party in her school, and she was super excited to meet her friends and classmates. With some, she was in touch with, while the others she was going to meet for many years. 
She was wearing a rose gold colored shimmery sequin dress that ended three inches above her knees, and it had puffy sleeves. She had kept her hair open and applied some makeup. She had finished her look with matching earrings, watch and five inches block heels. 
Parishay read a verse from the Quran and blew it over Qirat to protect her from evil eyes before sending her off. Qirat dropped a text to Zaroon, since he was still in his office. 
As soon as she reached her school, she was enveloped with so many old friends and teachers. They had so much to talk about. All those memories came rushing back and they spent the entire evening revisiting the old lanes and laughing. 
It was a little past nine. Everyone had slowly started to leave. Qirat said bye to some of her friends, and headed over to the buffet counter to have a gulab jamun. 
"Hey," A man's voice said to her as she took her first bite of the sweet. 
She looked at her side, and looking at the person in front of her made her choke upon her food. She coughed, concerning the other person. 
"Are you okay?" He picked up a glass of water and passed her. She drank some of it and calmed down. 
"Rehan," She muttered. 
He smiled. "So, you do remember me!"
Of course, she did remember him. She had a major crush on him during her school days. He still looked really handsome. But not more than your husband, her mind piped in. 
"How have you been?" She asked awkwardly. Even though they were classmates throughout their school life, they had never really talked to each other. She always used to admire him from a distance. 
"Good." He nodded. "What about you?" 
"I'm good as well." She had finished her sweet by now and they started walking out of the school building. 
"You haven't changed much." She commented. 
"You haven't, either. Maybe except for becoming more beautiful." He shyly said. 
Her eyes snapped towards him. Was he flirting with her? The fifteen-year old Qirat would have gone crazy in happiness, but the current Qirat felt uncomfortable. She knew she couldn't control who flirts with her, but it still felt like she was cheating on Zaroon. It just felt so wrong to her. So she didn't reply. They came out of the school building. 
"It was nice to meet you, Rehan." She smiled formally. 
"Yeah, can I, maybe, take you out sometime?" He nervously asked. 
"Um, that's really sweet. But, I am actually married." She gave him an awkward smile. 
"Oh," He was surprised, "I'm sorry, I didn't know."
"It is okay." 
They awkwardly stood there for a few seconds before Qirat muttered a small goodbye and turned around. But when she turned, she found Zaroon standing a few steps away from her. And he was fondly smiling at her. 
"When did you come?" She asked when she reached him. 
"Just now," He took her hand and took her to the car. 
"Did you have a good time tonight?" He asked, while driving. 
"Yes, I met all my old friends." She said and then got an idea to tease Zaroon. "And I also met Rehan."
"Who is Rehan?" He asked. 
"I'd told you about him the first time we met. I had a crush on him." Her tone was mischievous. "He still looked so handsome."
A smirk appeared on his face. "And yet you turned him down when he asked you out."
Qirat was surprised. He had heard her conversation with him. When he saw her coming out, he got out of the car to greet her. But when he heard Rehan ask her for a date, all his insecurities came rushing back to him. He felt as if history was repeating itself. He felt as if Qirat would also leave him like Adab. He was about to intervene but Qirat didn't give him a chance. She so politely turned him down that it warmed his heart. And it was enough for him to know that no matter what, Qirat would never leave her Zaroon. 
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
I know a few of you wanted to see the possessive side of Zaroon, but when I thought about it, I realised that Zaroon is not the kind of person who'd be over-possessive or territorial kind of husband. So showing him that way would go against his character. 
Also, after Adab left him, it was natural for him to feel a little scared of losing Qirat as well. So it was important for him to know, from her mouth, that she'd never leave him for anyone. 
I'm sorry if I disappointed you by not giving you a possessive male lead. I know how it feels, but I'm sucker for those kind of men myself. But I assure you, the cousin romance I'd write after this would have the male protagonist who'd be super possessive about his girl ;) 
Now, are we forgetting something? Yes, some of you haven't voted yet. Do it before leaving.