Days passed again just like that. From time to time, Elson would check on her—sometimes by visiting, other times by simply sending a message.
All the advice he gave her greatly helped lift her spirits and allowed her to move forward despite the pressure and stress.
She was also able to respond to the group chat, which had been flooded with worried messages from her friends.
Kath: I'm fine now. I'm also taking care of my health, so don't worry.
She still couldn't bring herself to tell them about her stress, but at the very least, she could let them know she was doing better.
They replied with various worried messages, and she answered them to the best of her ability.
When the sign-up sheet for the law school's trial team was posted on the bulletin board, Kathrine didn't rush to put her name down.
It was one of the events she had looked forward to ever since discovering it during her earlier years.
She walked past it that morning, looked at it for a while, then kept going.
Later that day, she stopped in front of it again, reading the names already written down. Some of the top students had already signed up. Her hand hovered over the pen, but she didn't write anything.
She stared at the sheet several times throughout the day.
The trial team sounded exciting, but also terrifying.
It meant standing in front of people and speaking. It meant competition, rules, and judges. It meant adding more stress on top of everything she was already dealing with.
She kept thinking, 'What if I'm not good enough? What if I embarrass myself in front of everyone?'
That night, she and Elson met up. He had come to pick up the gift she had prepared for Fatima—already packed and ready to be given.
They were sitting in the small café near campus, their usual spot. The smell of coffee and bread filled the air, and it was quieter than usual.
He would be leaving the next day, and this would be their last time meeting for a while.
"You seem to be having another stressful thought," he said, noticing how absent-minded she seemed.
Kathrine smiled.
"Yeah. There's a sign-up for the trial team," she said, staring at her drink.
He looked up from his bag, where he had placed the gift.
"Are you joining?"
"I don't know. I want to… but I also don't."
"Why not?"
"I'm scared. I was looking forward to it in my earlier years, but now... I guess I still haven't built my confidence enough," she admitted.
She sighed, "What if I mess up in front of everyone? What if I fail, and they all see it?"
Elson leaned back in his chair.
"You've been through so much already," he said gently.
"And you're still here, still going. You've already survived things over just a few months, things that caused you to break down. So what makes you hesitate this time?"
"That's different. I mean, right now I have the strength to know I can still make a comeback," she mumbled.
"But this one is public. Not just classmates and instructors, people will see me fail."
He shrugged and chuckled a little.
No, he wasn't making fun of her, he just knew she already had the answer. She just needed someone to tell her to believe in it.
"Maybe. But even if you do fail, at least you tried. Most people don't even try, they stay afraid.
You'd be one of the few who actually took the chance. Isn't that what you truly want? That despite the fear, you stood up and took a step forward?"
She was quiet for a while, thinking.
She wasn't sure if his words made her feel brave or more nervous. But something in what he said stuck with her.
"At the same time, didn't I tell you that you only have to ask yourself one question?"
"Do I want to do it or not?" she replied.
Elson nodded.
"So, what do you think?"
She took a deep breath and smiled.
Elson smiled as well, knowing that she was slowly accepting what she lacked.
"Stop doubting yourself. Everyone fails, but for me, it's better to fail than to live with regret."
"Yeah, I should really stop this pessimism," she laughed.
Outside the coffee shop.
"I suppose this is farewell now," she said, looking at him.
"Well, we are now in an advanced time. You can always contact me when you feel like you're forgetting where you should stand," he said, placing his hand on her head.
"Once I become the best lawyer, I'll protect you in any case… well, as long as you're innocent."
Elson laughed, then looked at her, "I decline."
Kathrine looked at him, shocked, "You don't believe me?"
Elson raised an eyebrow, making her smile sheepishly.
He was the one who believed in her all this time, even when she couldn't believe in herself.
He patted her head.
"I'd rather not bring you a case and cause you more stress. I'd rather be the one supporting you with your cases."
Kathrine thought for a bit, "Then once I make it big, I'll treat you to anything you want. Even if it's the most expensive musical performance."
Elson smiled, "That I'd accept."
The two bid each other goodbye after he sent her back to her apartment.