Risto's Universe.

When I was sent on a mission to be Risto's Universe I thought it would be an easy case, I was told that in a past life he had been a child without financial resources and had died young due to an illness that could not be treated due the same financial situation, and of course these things touch the heart of anyone. I was told that my mission would be to care for him and please him in a way that would make up for his past life, so that he could expand his human knowledge for when it will be his turn to evolve, to transcend, or whatever word people use.

When I arrived at Risto's house, I realized that he was the most awaited child of all, his parents had decorated the room a long time ago, they had bought things for their future son since the day they got married, they couldn't stop imagining his face, his eyes. They had thousands of plans for him in the future, practically the child had his life assured. They didn't care what sex the baby would have; they just wanted their baby more than anything. They had had unsuccessful pregnancies before, which had marked them, and they were afraid of them.

When I approached Risto to have our first contact, I decided to send them a male child, I thought I would have a more comfortable life than if I sent them a baby, usually when we sex the babies, and have our first contact with them, we change color, but in my case, nothing happened... it was still white as if it were a ghost.

I took care of everything, I organized the Universes of Risto's parents to care for and protect that baby if possible, with our own universal life, so that it could be achieved and reach its family safely. Everything seemed to be going perfectly, his parents were happy and excited. They organized incredible and expensive parties for their future child, where they showed off their ultrasounds, their future accessories, their future clothes, they didn't know him yet and seemed to be proud of him.

When Risto was born, I had the opportunity to see his birth, as soon as I made eye contact with him, I practically fell in love, I swore to love and protect him for the rest of his life. As soon as he started expressing his wishes, I started to grant them, which was quite easy as his parents were always aware of his needs. There were things that Risto would get without asking, and of course he enjoyed them too. Toys, games, food, outings... Risto had everything, except friends. Risto was always a very serious, quiet and somewhat conceited child.

However, because of the great attention he got from his parents he never felt lonely, he never felt any need for anything, so practically his life and mine were perfect. I never worried about anything to do with him, and he never worried about anything to do with himself.

Being an official part of the family I decided to wear an accessory like his parents' Universes, and something that identifies Risto a lot is that he always wears scarves in winter, especially a red one that is his favorite and was given to him by his mother, that's why I always wear a scarf, that's why and because I hoped that the color white wouldn't be so noticeable.

When we moved to Rovaniemi and I saw the possibility that I could start a relationship with Ruth, who also had a complementary gift from Risto, I thought "She's perfect". The greater Universe, God, must have brought them together because of that, because they are surely destined to succeed together.

I saw that friendship grow day by day, taking care of every detail so that something was not missing, creating perfect atmospheres. During the winter, during the summer, during spring and autumn, I always made Risto enjoy Ruth, because he was fascinated by her presence, and she was his first friend. Of course, Risto, and his enormous pride, would never allow him to clear up this situation that is so special to him. This is something we keep quiet, and he and I keep quiet.

Once in the summer, I saw Risto teach Ruth how to eat sushi with chopsticks. Ruth was annoyed to try, Risto laughed along with her, but he never lost his patience, he put his fingers delicately on the chopsticks and looked at her flirtatiously as she smiled, and I smiled at him.

-He loves her, he loves her, I know -said the Universe of Ruth watching me.

-She's his best friend... -I replied with annoyance.

-You should tell me, anyway, I couldn't tell Ruth what you tell me.

-I can't give out information about my human's personal life, so just watch -I said, pulling out a bowl of popcorn, my specialty.

The truth is I do know that Ruth is special to Risto, but I certainly have no idea how special she really is.

Risto managed after much effort to teach Ruth to take the chopsticks correctly, even though they kept laughing at each other. When they finished Risto chivalrously paid the bill and they received a couple of fortune cookies. I looked at Ruth's Universe winking at it and decided to put my hands on the cookies by playing a little with her luck.

Risto opened his eyes wide, and put the cookie in his mouth, making a little ball on his paper. When Ruth opened hers, she blushed and quickly put it away in her little black bag that she always carries.

-What did yours say? -asked Risto, crossing his arms, raising his eyebrow and half a smile on his face.

-It said that... he would have a rainy day -she said, looking at the clouds through the window.

-Mine said, -he said looking up at the roof, but in the same pose- that I would have to walk home?

They both lied, what he had put on his papers actually said "The love of your life could be in front of your eyes". I only did it because I wanted to know what their reaction would be. Ruth's Universe and I began to laugh out loud as we watched them retreat. Risto had left his lucky paper on the table, while Ruth had kept it.

-I think we can see from this that he is still not interested.

-That's what I see, but then don't let him play with her feelings.

-I think it's involuntary, I think he's just being himself, not that he's playing with it himself...

It started to rain, Risto was carrying a big red umbrella and Ruth was carrying an old pink umbrella, which with work could be opened. The rain started to turn into a storm quickly. Ruth's umbrella didn't seem to be able to resist it, sometimes it bent over and got a little wet. Of course I touched Risto to make him notice, and when he turned her over he put his red umbrella up to protect her as they walked back to their houses. He looked at her tenderly, although inside he thought "How silly she is..." and the Universe of Ruth and Ruth melted at such a scene. When he saw that Ruth's mother had not yet arrived at her house, Risto took Ruth into his house and made her a hot coffee with milk, which they accompanied with some Finnish bread and cheese gratin. Risto's mother saw them smiling, and passing by Ruth's side she took her by the shoulder by squeezing it a little. Risto, seeing such action from his mother, saw her a little confused, and stopped her biting his bread.

-Will you go home? Surely Guinness misses you.

-It's all right, -she said without being totally convinced- I'll take my bread then.

-It's all right, plus it's stopped raining and I'm sure you've got things to do.

Risto accompanied Ruth back to her house, which was only a few yards from her own, and when she returned, she stared at her mother, and looked back at her strangely.

-What's wrong?

-Don't get attached to Ruth...

-Why? -she ask confused.

-I saw that you took her by the shoulder, and I don't like that you are so confident with her.

-It doesn't mean anything, I just passing by -explained her mother.

-Anyway, don't do it. Tomorrow I'll bring whoever will be my girlfriend -he said without averting her annoyed gaze.

His mother was speechless and static, and to be honest I was too. I didn't even know Risto had an interest in anyone special, he seemed to keep most of his thoughts to himself where no one would touch them.

The next day he asked Mira to be his girlfriend, she was a year older than him, but of course she accepted gladly, since then Risto became the popular one at school, Mira was the student committee manager at that time. When Ruth met Risto's first girlfriend, she was annoyed, but she had to hide her annoyance from others by having to pretend she was his sister. She had to pretend to go out in the evenings, and that was the reason for not being at Risto's house when they were there... Ruth was alone again...

Sometime later, one Friday, if I remember correctly, Ruth did not go out to school, which worried him, but at the same time he thought he knew the answer, he thought that possibly Ruth was ill and that was why she did not answer when he rang the bell of her house. Risto arrived at the school and made his normal day. That day he decided not to go out with Mira and instead went to the bakery for a piece of chocolate cake, which was Ruth's and Risto's favourite.

He went by Ruth's house and found her still with the lights off, as if no one was there. It seemed strange to him, so he looked through the window again and rang the bell. Guinness came running out of the house. She stopped in front of him, wagging her legs as if she wanted to keep running, as if she wanted him to follow her, and went into the house, waiting for him through the doggy doorway she made for it some time ago. Risto tried to open the door without success, but he understood the Guinness sign perfectly, he left his things outside the house and went through the same entrance as Guinness. He ran after Guinness to the bathroom where only the shower could be heard. He tried to open the door while shouting to find out if Ruth was inside, but there was no answer and no one opened the door. He looked for something to break the plate with, finding a hammer and with one blow he destroyed it. He put his hands inside until he managed to open it, and found Ruth passed out in the bath, with her pyjamas on, and a bottle of sleeping pills completely empty beside her, she had opened the water taps hoping to drown. Risto hugged her tightly and carried her off, wrapping her in a towel.  He carried her like this to the room where he marked his house for help without leaving Ruth. Guinness saw her scared and lay down beside her crying. Risto's mother immediately pulled her car out of the garage and drove past them to the hospital.

When they were there waiting for news, they contacted Ruth's mother who hurriedly left her work to catch up with them at the hospital. When she finally arrived with her eyes watering, she did not get the welcome she expected.

-This is all your fault! -shouted Risto, and I took a hand to his forehead.

-My fault? -said his mother, upset and wanting to cry.

-She's abandoned her all the time, my mother and I are practically always looking after her, otherwise I went in to see what was going on and her daughter would probably be dead.

-But who do you think you are? Are you watching how your son is talking to me? -she asked Risto's mother.

-I'd love to defend you, but he's right, everyone in the village thinks she's my family and that's because everyone knows that we're the ones who really take care of her.

-That's because your son has made everyone believe that -replied Ruth's mother.

-Well, if they believe it, it's because of something -said Risto, crossing his arms in annoyance.

-We're all tense, -Risto's mother interrupted- "we'd better calm down, the important thing is that Ruth gets out of this.

Risto left the scene, went to the hospital tent where he asked for some cookies, his hands were still shaking and his eyes were watering.

-Do you want a cigarette? -said the man in the shop at the hospital.

Risto put out his hand and took it with a bit of mistrust, putting it in his mouth he lit it and when he started smoking it he nearly drowned.

-It's a bit strong, but it helps to calm the nerves, I hope your relative gets better... -concluded the man. 

It annoyed me that this man offered Risto tobacco when he was so young, but because of his looks Risto has always looked older than he really is, so maybe when he saw him he thought he was someone who had grown up. And from then on Risto didn't give up the cigarette, he held on to it hoping to feel calm, although I noticed as time went by that no matter how many cigarettes he smoked, the calm didn't reach him. Deep down I knew why, but just like Risto, I don't dare to say it...