S3 1. Operation New Year

 Oona rings the doorbell and gathers her self confidence and pulls a friendly face on. Ms. Hurskainen opens the door just a little and keeps safety chain on.

– Yes? She says varily.
– Hello. I’m Oona Korhonen from the other side of corridor and moved here some months ago. I thought I’ll come to introduce myself.
– Mhmm, Ms Hurskainen says and gives her a long look from head to toe. – You live in Ms. Kilpi’s old apartment.
– Yes. Moved here with my cats after divorce.
– Oh, she says.

It wasn’t divorce but that was the most easy way to put it. She’s about to say something but then there’s meow from their feet.
– Well hello there, Oona kneels down, lets tortoise coloured cat to sniff her and lifts it to her arms. – You look almost like my Amaranthe!
The cat pushes her arm and looks excstatic. Ms. Hurskainen stares at Oona.
– My my. Kerttu never likes other people!
– What can I say? Cats are my life. Oona smiles at her grumpy neighbor. – They never let you down and love you unconditionally. She probably smells my cats and like it.
Ms. Hurskainen closes a door and opens the safety chain.
– I’d never! She reaches for her cat and Oona gives it back. The cat tries to push itself back into Oonas arms. – Kerttu! What’s gone to you?!

– Anyway. I thought I’d invite those neighbors who are home to glass of champagne. It’s new years eve after all and I just got my papers from university.
– Academic training? There goes the impressed tone Oona was looking for. Yes!
– Oh yes, just got master’s degree from social psychology. So, can I offer you that glass of bubbly?
– Oh? Ah! Ms. Hurskainen reaches out her hand. -Maire. You can call me Maire! – Glad to meet you Maire, Oona still smiles.

Back at home Oona’s cats run for her with gleam in their eyes.
– Oh you want to get high too? She smirks and tosses a little toy filled with catnip to floor she had hid inside of her clothes. Now a quick shower and then she could master the operation ”win your troublesome neighbors over.”

- Why are you here in new years eve?
– At home? Oona raises her brows and pours another glass to Maire. – I’m still adventuring within myself. Finding who am I by myself. I don’t need no party for that.
She nods for agreement and takes a sip from her glass.
– This is very good, she compliments her drink.

- How long you were together? Maire wants to know.
– Nine years.
– My, that’s a long time. Did he cheat on you? Her eyes narrow a little and Oona sees a lecture coming.
– No. We just grew apart and I was left with nothing. He owned it all, Oona sighs
Maire shakes her head slowly.
– Never let man dictate your life. Never let man to hold on to your finances.
– I learned it the hard way, Oona shrugs.
- No, Maire lifts her index finger. – You have no idea of the hard way.

– You are young. How old are you excatly? She continues
– 28?
– Yes, you are young, Maire points finger to her direction. – I had a fine career and then I met a man. He was married. He promised he’ll divorce her the very first opportunity.
– And he didn’t? Oona leans on table completely drawn in. She wanted to win her over but never expected she would open up.
– No. I waited, and waited. There was always something. I was offered a better position, great chance to make it but I would have to move abroad. He didn’t like the idea so I stayed.
– What happened? Oona asks.
– His wife got pregnant. They went on and he forgot about me. My office was fused to larger company and I was left without a vacancy. I was no longer needed.
– That’s horrible!
– I was waiting for love and sacrificed my career, my life for it. Now there’s none of neither.
– I’m so sorry, Oona gasped.

– Don’t you end up like me! To bitter old maid with cats. Maire waves her index in front of Oona’s nose. – Never let a man to take hold of your life. You dictate the rules. Never let love make fool of you.
– Wow , Oona blinks.
– Concentrate to get what you can. Make the best you get from your life. But remember. Lovers come and go. Be above it. Love isn't worth it.
– I’ll definetly drink to that, Oona says and picks up the bottle. – More champagne?
– Oh yes, please!