Anthology

Veggie Punishment (Sethrang)

Prompt: Come on now, I think you’re being too harsh. He/she’s just a kid. Remember all of the stupid things we used to do when we were their age? – sethrang

 ***

Seth: Come on now, I think you’re being too harsh. He’s just a kid. Remember all of the stupid things we used to do when we were their age?

Barbs: *rolls eyes* Yeah, that’s why the universe invented the word stupid, Seth. Because it’s st—

Seth: Stupid?

Barbs: *throws a pillow at him* You’re no help at all!

Seth: Kumalma ka kasi!

Barbs: Paano ako kakalma, ha? Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng lecture nung tumawag ang principal, Seth. Sino bang hindi kakalma na may tatawag sa’yo, saying na nanusok ng lapis ang anak mo?

Seth: *controls his laughter*

Barbs: Shit naman! Don’t you dare laugh at this! Hindi ‘to nakakatuwa!

Seth: *finally laughs* You have to admit it’s a little bit funny.

Barbs: *glares* Funny kasi ginawa mo ‘yon nung kinder ka! Wag mong itatanggi, nakwento sa’kin ng dad mo ‘yon!

Seth: But still.. hindi naman malala yung parusa sa’kin ng parents k—

Barbs: Excuse me? Malala? Anong malala sa punishment ko sa anak natin?

Seth: You’re making him eat vegetables for two whole weeks. Kahit hindi na ako bata I find that very cruel, Barbs.

Barbs: It’s like hitting two birds with one stone! Naparusahan ko na siya, naging healthy pa siya!

Seth: You’re serious?

Barbs: I rarely joke, Bello.

Seth: *sighs* Gaanan mo naman sana. Kahit three days lang tapos bawiin mo ang gadgets. Baka maging malnourished si Louis after two weeks.

Barbs: Hoy, ikaw ‘tong health buff sa’ting dalawa. Why are you against this?

Seth: Because this is too much. Louis’ just.. six! Malay ba niya sa ginagawa niya? He’s just a kid, Ba. He even apologized! That little act won’t make him a serial killer, if that’s what you’re worried about.

Barbs: *snorts* Hindi ako natatakot na maging serial killer ang anak natin, Seth. Ah basta, my decision’s final.

Seth: Bawasan mo naman! 10 days.

Barbs: My decis—

Seth: Nine days. Without TV during the evenings.

Barbs: 12 days plus without TV.

Seth: Eight days, without TV. Last offer.

Barbs: *sighs* Fine. Eight days!

Seth: Aahh.. see? You can be a softie sometimes.

Barbs: Ewan ko sa’yo! And Seth?

Seth: Hmm?

Barbs: Don’t you dare try to help him with those veggies. Kapag nahuli kita, sa sofa ka matutulog for one month.

Seth: … Aye, Ma’am.