i know father's day is coming but...

2 days ago, i got a call from the parentals who were halfway around the world.

mom: hi angel, we're stuck in _____, the plane got delayed and we'll only be back on monday evening.
me: oh dear. okay. how are you both?
mom: we're okay. dad wants to know how his fish are.
me: they're fine mom, they're alive.
mom: *relays message to dad* oh! they're alive! that's good, anywa... (the phone gets grabbed out from her hand in midsentence, my father comes on the line)
dad: how are my fish how are my fish howaremyfish??
me: they're fine, dad. still alive.
dad: still alive! good! they're alive ah?
me: ...yes dad, they're alive.
mom returns to the phone: heh. he's very happy the fish are still alive.
(by this time, my second brother is rolling about the floor laughing)
me:... yes mum. your eldest son was kidnapped by aliens, your second son lost a foot in bali, and your daughter was drugged and raped, but yes, the fish are alive.

my mum giggles.

today, i return home to my mum mopping the floor (seriously) and my dad bending over his fish pond (seriously).

dad: eh angel! *points at fish* fish really alive ah!
me: YES i told you, they're alive. i fed them eeeevery morning.
dad: *counts fish* ALL there ah!
me: -_-

later, while i'm in the shower.

dad: EH ANGEL! the pail on the floor! don't let it touch soapy water!
me: *looks at squillion pails in bathroom* which pail.
dad: that one! that big one!
me: oh. why? why are you getting all worked up over it?
dad: because that's the FISH'S pail! if it touches soapy water, they'll DIE!

i hate to sound like one of those adolescent children, but i have a funny feeling my dad loves his fish more than he loves his children. hmm.