Lauren returned home from the grocery store, her arms laden with bags. She found Rob sprawled out on the couch, lost in slumber.

"Rob!" she exclaimed, her voice sharp enough to pierce through his sleep.

Rob jumped, startled awake. "Who is it?" he mumbled, his eyes still half-closed.

"It's me, honey," Lauren replied, her tone laced with irritation. "Do you know what time it is?"

Rob rubbed his eyes sleepily. "Dinner, maybe?" he guessed.

Lauren crossed her arms, her annoyance growing. "It's 6:30! I told you to get everything ready. We have to drop Lara at the airport before 7:30. She has a flight at 9 PM. Did you forget?"

Rob's eyes widened in realization. "Oh, I slept a little," he admitted sheepishly.

"Like father, like daughter," Lauren muttered, shaking her head.

"Lara!" she called out, her voice echoing through the house. "Now don't tell me..."

She marched towards Lara's room and burst open the door, revealing a scene of chaos. Lara was fast asleep, her arms wrapped around her pillow.

Lauren's anger intensified. "Lara, dear," she whispered sarcastically, her voice dripping with venom.

Lara stirred in her sleep, mumbling incoherently.

"Wake up!" Lauren shouted, her patience wearing thin.

Lara jumped out of bed, startled by the sudden noise. She looked around frantically, her eyes wide with confusion. "Aahhh!" she screamed, her voice filled with terror.

She finally registered her mother's presence. "M...mother," she stammered, her voice trembling.

Lauren's face was a mask of fury. "Get ready now or say goodbye to your Japan trip!" she threatened.

Lara nodded frantically, jumping out of bed and rushing to her wardrobe. In her haste, she started throwing clothes out haphazardly, accidentally landing on her mother's head.

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Rob, who had been a silent observer of the chaos, cautiously approached Lara. "Umm...Lara," he began.

"Dad, I'm busy," Lara retorted without looking back.

"Look back," Rob insisted.

Lara finally turned around and saw the offending garment perched on her mother's head. "Ma, what are you doing with my clothes on your head?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

Lauren's face turned an alarming shade of red. "Get out!" she roared, her voice echoing through the house.

Lara and Rob beat a hasty retreat from the room.

As Rob and Lara rushed out of the room, Lauren shut the door with a firm click.

Lara, still in shock, managed to say, "Dad, you should have told me earlier."

Rob replied defensively, "I did."

Lauren reopened the door, holding out a fresh set of clothes for Lara. "Change up fast," she ordered, her voice stern but laced with a hint of concern.

Lara took the clothes gratefully. "Thank you, Mom," she said, her voice still trembling slightly.

"Now go and change already," Lauren insisted.

Lara nodded, her mind racing. "Ai, ai," she mumbled, turning to leave. As she started walking towards the stairs, a realization hit her.

"Hehe," she giggled nervously. "My room is a mess," she admitted.

A wave of exasperation washed over Lauren. "This girl," she muttered under her breath.

Rob, sensing the brewing storm, offered a distraction.

"Honey, you need some coffee," he suggested, rubbing his temples as if warding off a headache.

Lauren nodded, her anger slowly subsiding. "Sure," she replied, her voice still tinged with annoyance.

Airport

At the departure lounge, a wave of emotions washed over the family.

"It's time," Lauren announced, her voice tinged with a mixture of pride and sadness.

Lara hugged her parents tightly, a dramatic flair to her actions. "See ya soon," she declared, her voice filled with a hint of bravado.

Rob, ever the sentimental one, played along. "Don't forget your dad, my dear," he said, his voice trembling slightly.

Lara reciprocated the dramatics. "I will never. I will be back," she promised solemnly.

Lauren, amused by their theatrics, rolled her eyes.

"Okay, okay, enough now. Go, it's getting late already. And don't forget to call us. Be disciplined, no going here and there, no troubling others. Call us if anything is an emergency, okay?" she instructed, her maternal instincts kicking in.

"Mom, I'm not a kid anymore," Lara protested playfully.

Lauren gave her a stern look. "Better not be," she replied.

With one last hug, Lara pulled away and grabbed her luggage. "Take care," she said, waving goodbye to her parents.

Lauren and Rob waved back, their hearts heavy with a mix of pride and longing.

Lauren and Rob turned back to go home, their hearts heavy with a mix of pride and sadness. As they walked towards the exit, they heard Lara's voice.

"Wait!" she shouted, running towards them breathlessly.

They turned around to find Lara panting heavily.

"Now what's this about?" Lauren asked, a hint of exasperation in her voice.

Lara's face was flushed with embarrassment. "I forgot the ticket with Dad!" she exclaimed, her voice barely audible.

Lauren sighed, shaking her head. Rob quickly handed Lara the ticket, and she dashed back towards the departure gate.

"Bye!" she shouted, disappearing into the crowd.

Lauren and Rob watched her go, a mix of emotions swirling within them.