"Ami, wake up dear," I heard Mom said. "You are going to be late for work."

"Mom, can I have one more minute please?" I said as I covered myself with a blanket. "I'm still sleepy."

"Come on now, you'll be late." Mom said. "You won't like to be scolded at work, right?"

"Alright," I said and took off the blanket. "Oh Mom, what would I do without you?"

"Oh stop it," She said. "I knew you were already awake earlier and you just went back to sleep because you knew I was going to get you up."

I laughed. It was true. I would always wake up early but I knew Mom would come and wake me up so I would go back to sleep.

"See?" She said and laughed. "Alright, get up now and prepare. I'll just prepare our breakfast."

"Alright Mom," I said as I sat up.

"Don't go back to sleep, okay?" She said.

"I won't; don't worry." I said.

She nodded and turned around but not before giving me a stern look. I just smiled and got up. She closed the door behind her and I went to get my towel. I took a quick shower and changed into my usual working clothes. I sat down at my vanity mirror and started fixing myself. I blow dried my hair and put it into a clean bun just as what is required in my line of work. I took my every day lipstick and applied some on my lips lightly. I brushed my brows and thanked God that I didn't have to spend so much time on doing it since it is already shaped perfectly. It is actually one of the things that I am thankful for; a perfect brows. I also put on some powder and curled my lashes as well and then I was good to go. I didn't like to put too much make up and make myself look like a clown. I love to keep it simple yet presentable.

When I was satisfies with how I looked, I decided to go to the kitchen and checked on my Mom.

"Hey there," She said when she saw me.

"Hi Mom, where is Dad? Why isn't he here yet?" I said.

"Oh, he's still on the shower," She saud. "But I'm sure he'll be here any minute now."

"Oh, alright," I said and went near her.

"You look good," She said as she looked at me.

I rolled my eyes at her. "Mom, this is what I wear everyday and you always say that as well as if something has changed."

"What? I'm just saying the truth." She said. "You look good just like me, you know."

"That I couldn't agree more," Dad said as he entered the kitchen.

"Good morning Dad," I said.

"Morning Ami," He said as he went over and kissed me on the cheeks. "Did you give your mother a hard time waking you up today?"

"What? No, I didn't." I said defensively.

"Oh, that's not what I heard," He said and laughed.

"Dad!" I said. "Mom, Dad is teasing me ",

"Oh, stop it you two," Mom said while laughing. "Why don't you two take a seat so we can eat now?"

"Good idea dear," Dad said. "I am starving."

"You always are, Dad," I said teasing him back.

"Well, what can I say? Your mom cooks the best food in the world." He said.

"Of course," Mom said. "Only the best for my two most favorite persons in the world.

"Thanks Mom," I said. "I love you both,"

"I love you too, both of you," Mom said.

"And I love both of you more," Dad said.

"Alright, that's enough, let's eat so we can get going." Mom said.

Before you get any idea of what my family is, I would picture us out for you. We are a normal family who lives in the Philippines and by normal, I mean we belong to the middle class section. We are living comfortably and can afford a good shelter, food and other necessities at affordable prices. I cannot say that we are way passed the middle class section since we are just a normal citizens of the country; nothing fancy about us. My Dad is an engineer who works at a government agency while my Mom owns and runs her own bakeshop. At the age of twenty four, I am already a manager at one of the best fast-food chains in the city.

We were in the middle of eating when Dad spoke. "Hon, can you drive Ami to her work today? I have a meeting and I need to be at the office earlier than usual today."

Mom and Dad were the only ones who own a car and so they would take turns in taking me to work and picking me up after.

"Of course," Mom said and smiled at me. "That won't be a problem. Shall I pick her up later as well?"

"Oh no," Dad said. "I can do that."

"Alright," Mom said and turned to me. "Eat a lot so you'll have more energy dealing with annoying costumers."

I laughed a little and nodded. Mom knew about all my rants regarding annoying costumers at the fast food chain where I worked. I know that handling difficult costumers are one of the descriptions of my job but I sometimes I couldn't help but get annoyed especially if the issues they were raising were irrelevant.

"Alright," Dad said as he stood up. "I need to leave now. You two take care, okay?"

Mom and I nodded and kissed him goodbye. He left and mom started cleaning the table.

"Mom, I got this," I said as I picked up the plates one by one. "Just go to your room and prepare."

I knew that she still has to fix herself so I volunteered to do the dishes.

"Are you sure? It's still early, I can still do that." She said.

"Mom, I can do this," I said. "Don't worry, I won't break the plates."

She nodded and went to her room. I continued collecting the plates and out them in the sink. I washed them and then let them dry on the drying tray. I was wiping the table clean when I heard a shattering sound at Mom and Dad's room. It was as if something fell and was broken into pieces. I left the kitchen and hurriedly went to their room.

"Mom, are you alright?" I said as I knocked on the door. "Mom? What happened?"

I didn't hear her answer so I got worried. What is happening inside? And what was that sound?