Why bother?

I just couldn't resist typing in another short entry for today. Just to recapture the incident and for me to pause and reflect upon.

I was tucking the children to bed an hour ago and as usual, I'd be checking that they had done their usual daily tasks: at the toilet - pee, brush teeth, ablution; in the room - Isya' prayers, clothes and toys all in order (for Princess an additional task to brush her hair). I had a quick glance at the clothes hung on the hangers and knew that something was amiss.

Okay, who hasn't hung up his uniform? Where did you chuck it today? Under the bed? In the cupboard? Come on.

No, mama. Mine is there! Abang protested.

I've hung mine up! Check it out if you don't believe! came Abang H's protective reclaim.

I checked the labels on the clothes and knew that Abang was the culprit.

No, Abang. Yours isn't here. Where is it?

Mama, this is mine - he took the hanger and showed me.

I couldn't believe my eyes. Yes, it was his and they were all on the hanger - trousers, shirt and jumper. But they were sloppily attached to the hanger. I wouldn't even consider them hung although I must say Abang did some job of securing it on the hanger!

And why is it like this?

Tak, nanti senang Abang nak pakai besok. He was sheepishly grinning away and he knew I disapproved.

Abang, if you think there's no point, then I might as well just leave the tap running in the toilet because later I'll be going back to the toilet, eh? Or maybe I should just leave the onions and vegetables on the kitchen counter because TOMORROW I'll be doing more cooking. Or maybe we should just leave the front door open because later Abah will be walking through it.
The children all began to laugh. They started chipping in their own ideas.

Yeah, maybe I might as well sleep with my uniform on so that tomorrow I don't have to change for school, giggled Abang H.

Yeah, and maybe mama should just leave the plates unwashed for use tomorrow! Princess tried to contribute.

Giggle. Giggle.

On the floor, I saw Abang's home jumper. Now, Abang, what is your jumper doing on the floor?

No, mama. I'm going to bring it with me to bed.

So, that's your idea of keeping it handy? I just couldn't help being so sarcastic...

Oh, boys... It used to be Abang H who was sloppy and full of excuses while Abang used to be neater and more systematic. No matter what, they are always reversing their behaviour. Aren't twins supposed to be the same all the time? Well, not mine!