Pretend

Raisa quickly wiped away the tears streaming down her face. Arka pats her shoulder, bringing Raisa back to reality.

"Yes, dear?" replied Raisa in a hoarse voice.

Hoarse voice and puffy eyes. Arka immediately guessed that his wife had been crying for quite some time.

"Have you been crying?" asked Arka with a slightly panicked face. The look on her husband's face. There was genuine concern for Raisa. But she was already disgusted by Arka's behavior.

"Honey?" called Arka once again.

Raisa's mouth was locked tight. Several times Arka called out, Raisa refused to answer. Her face was as pale as if she had a serious illness. Arka approached Raisa. She held her wife's forehead.

"It's not that hot," Arka said, pulling back her hand.

"I'm not sick, dear." Raisa replied without turning to her husband. Her heart ached, especially when she saw Arka nearby.

"So why are you crying?" Arka asked directly without preamble.

"There are times. Orphans, parentless children like me miss their presence." Ra