The Water Bill Wake-Up Call: How I Accidentally Gave My Dad a Mini Heart Attack (and a Lesson in Responsibility)
If you’ve ever lived on your own for the first time, you know the pure terror that comes with adulting: bills, deadlines, and the looming threat of utility shutoffs. But what happens when a routine reminder to your perpetually forgetful parent turns into a comedy of errors, cosmic timing, and just a tiny bit of well-deserved panic?
That’s exactly what happened to Reddit user u/LermisV4, who shared their story in r/PettyRevenge. It’s a tale of digital miscommunications, landlord bureaucracy, and that sweet moment when fate hands you the perfect opportunity for a harmless prank on dear old Dad. Grab your popcorn—and maybe your water bill.
When Paper Bills Meet Digital Disasters
Let’s set the stage: You’re a university student, renting an apartment your dad found for you. Life is good. Then, the water company decides to “go green” and switches to digital bills. Great for the planet, not so great for tenants whose landlords are the only ones allowed to receive said bills. Our protagonist? Completely cut off from paying the bill themselves.
The intended fix was simple: Dad tells the owner, the owner pays, and everyone stays hydrated. But, as anyone who’s ever dealt with landlords knows, things rarely go smoothly. Fast forward a year—cue the record scratch—suddenly, there’s no water. Not a drop. Turns out, the owner messed up an online form, and the bill hadn’t been paid for an entire year. One panicked visit to the water company and a prepaid year later, the taps are flowing and the crisis is averted.
Dad vs. The Dreaded Deadline
Enter the true villain of this saga: forgetfulness. Like so many parents, LermisV4’s dad is constantly juggling work, life, and a never-ending parade of due dates. Bill reminders fly like confetti at home, and the water bill is just another item on an ever-expanding checklist.
This year, Mom wisely nudges our protagonist to remind Dad to double-check the water bill. So, when Dad swings by for a visit, they slip in a gentle nudge: “Hey, don’t forget about the water bill!” Dad waves it off, and the day seems saved.
The Universe Delivers Comic Timing
But what’s a petty revenge story without a twist of fate? That very afternoon, the water gets cut off. Not just for the apartment—but for the whole street, thanks to a construction mishap. But Dad doesn’t know that.
Sensing an opportunity, our hero dials up Dad with their best “this is not a drill” voice.
“Hey dad, the water in the apartment got cut off.”
Cue radio silence. You can practically hear Dad’s brain short-circuiting on the other end. Five seconds, five doomsday scenarios. Was it the bill? Did he forget to remind the landlord? Was eviction imminent?
Then comes the punchline: “...by damage on a valve from the construction work outside.”
The relief is instant. Dad lets out a breath so loud you can hear it through the phone. Turns out, he was driving and mentally preparing for disaster. The universe, in its infinite sense of humor, had teamed up with LermisV4 for the ultimate petty prank—one that even earned a “well done” from Mom.
Why We Love Petty (But Harmless) Revenge
At face value, this isn’t a tale of grand vengeance or elaborate plotting. But that’s what makes it so relatable and downright funny. It’s the tiny victories—those moments when karma, timing, and a little nudge from the universe align—that stick with us.
Who among us hasn’t wanted to make a forgetful family member sweat, just a little, for always leaving the bills to the last minute? It’s harmless, it’s heartfelt, and it’s the kind of family in-joke that gets passed around the dinner table for years.
Plus, let’s be honest: as much as we dread paperwork, it’s these small misadventures that teach us (and our parents) to double-check the details. Maybe, just maybe, Dad will set a calendar alert for the next water bill.
What’s Your Petty Family Triumph?
Stories like these remind us that life’s little frustrations can turn into laughter with the right perspective. Have you ever gotten a bit of cheeky revenge on a forgetful parent, roommate, or partner? Did the universe ever hand you the perfect setup for a joke?
Share your own tales of petty—but loving—revenge in the comments below! And remember: check your bills, keep your sense of humor, and never underestimate the power of perfect timing.
What’s your funniest “adulting” mishap or family prank? Drop your stories and let’s commiserate together!
Original Reddit Post: So about that water bill...