"The wounds we don't face end up silently directing our lives."
—Carl Jung
News of Dylan and Ailín's relationship spread quickly throughout the university. They became one of the most beloved and admired couples—though their path was far from easy. The first few weeks of this new chapter were especially difficult for Ailín. She had stepped out from the shadow of insecurity that had followed her for so long, but the new challenge was even greater: to face herself, accept her vulnerabilities, and learn to love without the fear of rejection. Inside, she was torn between her desire to feel secure with Dylan and the pressure to maintain an impeccable façade in front of others.
Over the next few years, Ailín continued to struggle with insecurity, especially whenever she noticed the attention Dylan received from other girls. Twice, she even considered ending the relationship, convinced she wasn't good enough for him. But Dylan never let her go. He was always there, reminding her how deeply he loved her and how important she was to him.
That was when Oscurita returned.
"Look at how they look at him… and how he smiles back," Oscurita whispered in her ear as Ailín tried to ignore the stares. "You don't shine like they do. You never will."
Soon, Ailín started feeling ashamed of her insecurity. In an attempt to seem less jealous, she became more sociable—often to a fault. She avoided setting boundaries, afraid of being seen as possessive. But the cost was high. Her inability to say "no" turned her friendships, family ties, and even her romantic life into overwhelming webs that drained her emotionally.
On the volleyball court, however, Ailín was more focused than ever. She had learned to embrace her mistakes and treat herself with more kindness. Still, the underlying fear of not being "enough" lingered.
Things began to shift when she entered a writing contest titled "Personal Growth Through Art." The idea terrified her, but she felt compelled to try. At first, the words wouldn't come. But after a few attempts, something inside her unlocked. Her writing, she realized, was not only meaningful to her—but could help others facing similar fears. She decided to pour herself into her passion.
When the announcement came that she had won the contest, Ailín was overwhelmed. She had achieved something important. Suddenly, Oscurita's doubts began to fade. The fear was still there, but the victory gave her a confidence and inner strength she had never felt before.
Dylan was just as thrilled.
"You did it, Ailín! I knew you could," he said, his smile full of pride. In that moment, Ailín realized that her self-worth no longer depended on how others saw her. Dylan looked at her as if she were the most incredible person in the world.
"This is just the beginning," he added. "Your talent is greater than you realize. I'm so proud of you."
His words moved her. For the first time, she felt safe embracing her vulnerability. She knew Dylan truly loved her—and she loved him back, without doubt.
That afternoon, she met Andrea at their usual café. Andrea gave her a knowing smile.
"You seem different," she said, sipping her coffee. "What's going on?"
Ailín couldn't stop smiling.
"I won the writing contest," she replied, filled with both pride and gratitude. "And... for the first time, I'm not afraid to be myself."
Andrea studied her face with warmth.
"That makes me so happy," she said. "I'm still struggling with my own fears, especially with David. Sometimes I feel like I'm not enough for him. But I've realized it's not about being perfect. It's about being authentic—and knowing that even when we don't have all the answers, we can lean on each other."
Ailín nodded, touched by her honesty.
"Thank you, Andrea. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who feels this way."
"You're not alone," Andrea said gently. "We all fight inner battles. The key is to accept them, not hide from them."
That night, Ailín lay in bed, unable to sleep. Andrea's words echoed in her mind. But something else stirred—a discomfort she couldn't ignore. Something didn't sit right with her relationship with Dylan.
It was the attention he received from other girls. Even with her newfound confidence, she often felt he didn't fully respect her.
She closed her eyes. In the dark, Oscurita returned—silent, faceless, but unmistakably present.
"Do you really think Dylan is right for you?"
"Can't you see he's just pretending?"
Ailín clenched her jaw, refusing to open her eyes. Not tonight. Not after the joy of winning the contest.
She got up and went to her desk. She opened her notebook—the same one where she'd once spilled her darkest fears—and began to write again. Each word pushed Oscurita further into the shadows.
"Love can't fill the voids in my soul, but I keep searching for comfort. I fear I'll never be enough, but I don't want to lose what we have. Maybe if I stay quiet and don't complain, things will work themselves out."
In the dark, Oscurita smiled.
"That's right. Keep quiet. Hang in there. It's better than facing the possibility of being left behind."