A Day In the Life: Iqbal Edition

Every day I put a coin in the fountain. I’ve wished for many things in the past: For Maisie to get an A on an assignment, for Dana to make a new friend, for Daniel to not be cheating on Miraj, for VJ to get out to prison. I wish for good things for my family, never for me. Today I wished for a healthy pregnancy for my son.

I go into the kitchen and see Miraj making drinks. “Should you be making drinks while pregnant?”
“Uh…as long as I don’t drink them. I just wanted to practice making drinks since dinner is in the oven.” I was skeptical, but I trusted him.

I loved to cause chaos on this one forum about Sims Forever. I “necro” threads, ask the same questions (Where’s so-and-so feature?), and get mad when someone says Sims Forever is better than Sims Eternity. It’s all in good fun, and I haven’t been banned yet.

I take a walk around the property. My favorite spot is at Daniel’s garden.

Such a beautiful garden.

I greet my granddaughters at the door every weekday. “What happened to you?” Maisie smelled horrible.
“I. Don’t. Want. To. Talk. About. It.” She looked tense.
“Xander s’ploded a stink bomb, and she got caught in the blast by accident.” Dana was laughing. I admit, it was kind of amusing.
“I need to go soak for twenty hours.” She started to head up the stairs. “Tell baba to check on me in like 2 hours to make sure I haven’t drowned from embarrassment.”
“Alright kiddo.”

By 4pm, I was tired.

Nap time.

The Big Nine-Zero

It was a nice and sunny morning, with sun and a light breeze predicted for the rest of the day and evening. Perfect for a birthday party for the old man, thought Daniel as he brewed the morning tea. Miraj joined him shortly after with a kiss on the cheek and a sleepy mumble of ‘morning love.’
“So…today is my father’s birthday. I was thinking a small dinner party with just the family. I could invi-” He started as Daniel was taking a drink. Daniel put the mug down and gave him an irritated glare.
“Don’t say it. I know he’s your brother but I do not like him, and I don’t trust him. Maisie doesn’t even like him and she loves everybody.” Miraj looked ashamedly down to his tea. He couldn’t help his family-oriented nature, he wanted all of his family there for Iqbal’s ninetieth birthday.
“But…who knows when he’ll go back to prison. He should at least get to see his father one last time. I mean he is turning 90 today.” Daniel’s shoulders slumped in defeat and sighed.
“Fine. But if anything ends up missing or if he starts any shit, I’m not going to hold Maisie back, I’ll help her.”

Maisie woke up to a text message from Alexander. ‘You awake yet? Shouldn’t you be preparing for your grandfather’s birthday?’ Oh. Fuck. That’s today? I don’t have anything for him. I gotta think fast. She texted him back with a quick thanks before getting in the shower and ready for the day.

The hours leading up to the party were uneventful, and went smoothly. Miraj made a 2 course dinner and a cobbler for dessert. The house was “uber clean” or so Maisie would describe it, and everything looked straight from HGTV – perfect. VJ arrived, alone, like Daniel and Iqbal predicted.
“Welcome. The party will be out on the deck. It’s a wonderful evening.” Miraj was in his element, hosting a party – even if it was just one guest.

Maisie, Iqbal, and Dana were playing cards when Miraj escorted VJ to the deck. Iqbal excused himself and hugged his son.
“I wasn’t expecting you to show up. Thank you.” He sat back down to catch his breath.
“I wasn’t expecting an invite.” VJ shrugged and looked at the girls. “You two have definitely grown into beautiful ladies. Hey Raji, are you swatting boys away from Maisie yet?” Maisie glared at her uncle. Why does he have to be such an ass every time we see him?
“Yes. Only because she’s stubborn and won’t choose.” Miraj poured some lemonade and sat on the couch.
“Oh hush baba. I’m not being stubborn, I’m being a free spirit. No one is gonna tie me down til I’m ready.” She turned her glare to Miraj. She knew he was just joking, he was proud that she was focusing on herself and school…but deep down Miraj hoped that she and Alexander Goth would become a thing.
“Yeaaah baba! She’s a free spirit! Plus she’s is way too cool for boys.” Dana pitched in, wanting to feel a part of the “adult” conversation.
“Well then Miss Dana, that leaves girls. What about Yuki or Sofia?” Miraj winked at Maisie before sipping the lemonade.
“Uh huh. Totally. Hugo would be pissed off at me if I stole Yuki from him. And Sofia is a snobby, stupid twat.” VJ laughed and sat next to Miraj.
“Well, you should pick soon before the birthday boy convinces Raji to set up an arranged marriage for you.” Maisie scoffed and threw down her cards.
“Yeah, like that worked for you. Didn’t she run off because she couldn’t stand you?” Maisie rolled her eyes and excused herself. As she went inside, she called him a misogynistic pig.

It was time for dinner, so the party headed indoors to the table.
“Before we eat, we have presents for you.” Maisie was internally cursing. She had no gift for him, but being the brilliant girl she was, she thought of something to do instead.
“I got you a new sweater papa. I hope you like it.” Dana passed the lunpy package to the birthday boy. He unwrapped it and put it on. His eyes crinkled as he smiled.
“I love it bug. Now I’m toasty warm. Thank you.” They all looked to Maisie.

“I didn’t buy you anything papa. Instead, pick a day and we will go fishing wherever you want. All day. So obviously it’s gotta be on the weekend-” She looked to Miraj and Daniel with hopeful eyes “-unless you guys allow me to skip school for this?”
“Dream on babygirl.” Daniel grinned at the now defeated and betrayed look on Maisie’s face.
“What a wonderful gift Maisie. I’ll keep an eye on the weather and let you know.” He was genuinely happy that he would get to spend time with his favorite granddaughter.

“Me and Daniel have a joint gift for you…we’re going to have another baby. Another grandbaby for you.” Iqbal’s eyes filled with tears. He felt overjoyed, and blessed. VJ on the other hand was fuming.
“Another abomination? It’s not natural or normal. Dad…you used to be upset and angry that Raji is gay.” All eyes turned to VJ: Maisie was glaring, fists clenched. Miraj paled and looked like he was on the verge of tears. Daniel looked like he was going to jump over the table and tackle VJ on the spot. Iqbal was silent and calm.

“You’re right, I was upset and angry. Because I thought it meant that I wouldn’t have grand children. But now I’m going to have 3 from Miraj; that’s 2 more than you have given me. Now get out, I can’t eat with an upset stomach.” VJ left, slamming the front door behind him. Everyone stared at Iqbal in stunned silence. “So who’s hungry?”

Daniel’s Secret Pt. 1

Baba and Papa were sitting outside and baba’s face was contorted into sadness and misery and panic. Papa must’ve been lucid because he was a mix of disbelieving and pissed off. They were talking very animatedly and it made me wonder what they were talking about. I opened the door a crack, and leaned against the doorframe, praying that I wouldn’t get caught.

“-don’t know what to do. What if Danny really is cheating. I bet he’s found a flexible, cute Cuban guy that is really good at yoga and not fat. It would explain why he’s never home. It would explain everything.” Dad…cheat on baba? No. Way. I couldn’t believe this, dad loved baba more than anything. There had to be a more logical explanation…

I hurried to my room and called Xander and invited him over. If anyone could think this out logically, it was him. An hour later, he was here. “Maisie, sweetheart, Alexander is here. Are you expecting him?” Baba’s voice came through the intercom.
“Yes baba. We’re going to study for a test. He takes better notes than I do.” I hated lying to baba, but it was for the greater good.

Alex was in my room less than a minute later, door locked, and sitting on the ottoman. I turned on some music so we weren’t overheard and sat next to him. I told him what I  had overheard, and how my dad was acting the last couple of days. I was drawn into the black depths of his eyes and watched his brain process the information and work out scenarios.

“We both know his job as a programmer is total bullshit. My grandmother accidentally let slip that they were coworkers way before she retired…and she worked for the SIA. So maybe he’s working undercover?” It seemed plausible. There was only one thing left that would confirm (or deny) that theory:
“You can hack text messages and emails…right?”