Die son bak warm oor Robbeneiland.

The sun shines warmly over Robbeneiland.

Die helder blou see blink in die middaglig.

The bright blue sea glistens in the afternoon light.

Marelise staan met toegeknypte oë en kyk na die ou tronkgebou.

Marelise stands with squinted eyes and looks at the old prison building.

Dit lyk so stil, maar sy weet dis vol verhale.

It seems so still, but she knows it's full of stories.

"Johan," roep sy oor haar skouer.

"Johan," she calls over her shoulder.

Hy antwoord nie dadelik nie, sy bly staan en wag.

He doesn't answer immediately, but she stands and waits.

Sy hoor nie sy voetstappe op die klippe nie, maar sy weet hy kom nader.

She doesn't hear his footsteps on the stones, but she knows he's coming closer.

Johan kom by haar aan, sy oë verskerm teen die son.

Johan reaches her, his eyes shielded against the sun.

"Marelise, hoekom is ons hier?

"Marelise, why are we here?"

" Johan se stem is half geamuseerd, half gefrustreerd.

Johan's voice is half amused, half frustrated.

"Dis so lank gelede, hoekom wil jy nou weer hieraan krap?

"It's been so long, why do you want to dig this up again?"

"Sy kyk hom reguit in die oë.

She looks him straight in the eyes.

"Ek het 'n brief gevind, Johan.

"I found a letter, Johan.

Pa se brief.

Dad's letter.

Dit was aan ons geskryf, maar ons het dit nooit gesien nie.

It was written to us, but we never saw it."

"Sy oorhandig 'n vaal, verslete koevert aan hom.

She hands him a faded, worn envelope.

Johan vat die brief met huiwering.

Johan takes the letter with hesitation.

Sy vingers bewe 'n bietjie, maar hy maak dit oop.

His fingers tremble a bit, but he opens it.

Sy oë gly oor die geskrewe woorde.

His eyes scan the written words.

Marelise sien 'n mengsel van emosies op sy gesig flits.

Marelise sees a mixture of emotions flash across his face.

"Ek wil weet wat regtig hier gebeur het," sê Marelise sag.

"I want to know what really happened here," Marelise says softly.

"Pa se tyd hier het 'n impak op ons almal gehad.

"Dad's time here had an impact on all of us.

Ek moet verstaan om aan te gaan.

I need to understand to move on."

"Johan sug diep en vou die brief weer toe.

Johan sighs deeply and folds the letter again.

"Ek het lankal probeer vergeet.

"I've tried to forget for a long time.

Maar miskien is dit tyd dat ons dit in die oë kyk.

But maybe it's time we face it."

"Hulle volg die paadjie wat na die gevangenis lei.

They follow the path that leads to the prison.

Die gidstoer lei hulle deur die koue sale en seldeure.

The guided tour leads them through the cold halls and cell doors.

Johan loop diep in sy eie gedagtes, terwyl Marelise met elke stap meer vasberade raak.

Johan walks deep in his own thoughts, while Marelise becomes more determined with each step.

By een van die selle breek Johan onverwags.

At one of the cells, Johan breaks down unexpectedly.

Sy skouers ruk met stil gehuil.

His shoulders shake with silent tears.

Marelise staan nader en slaan haar arm om hom.

Marelise steps closer and puts her arm around him.

"Ek onthou hom hier," sê Johan.

"I remember him here," says Johan.

"Ek was net 'n kind, maar ek het die hartseer gesien.

"I was just a child, but I saw the sadness."

"Hulle sit in die skadu, die gids gee hulle ruimte.

They sit in the shade, the guide gives them space.

Marelise druk Johan saggies.

Marelise gently squeezes Johan.

"Ons was kinders.

"We were children.

Dit was nie vir ons maklik nie.

It wasn't easy for us.

Maar ons het oorleef.

But we survived.

Net soos Pa.

Just like Dad."

"Johan vee oor sy gesig en kyk na sy suster.

Johan wipes his face and looks at his sister.

Hy lyk bietjie kalmer.

He seems a bit calmer.

"Ek is bly jy het my gebring.

"I'm glad you brought me.

Dis tyd dat ons begin heel.

It's time we start healing."

"Die toer eindig en hulle stap uit.

The tour ends and they step out.

Die see voor hulle is kalm en eindeloos.

The sea before them is calm and endless.

Hulle staan daar lank, saam in stilte.

They stand there for a long time, together in silence.

"Ons sal mekaar ondersteun," sê Johan beslis.

"We'll support each other," Johan says firmly.

"Dis wat Pa sou wou hê.

"That's what Dad would have wanted."

""Seker ja," glimlag Marelise.

"Definitely, yes," Marelise smiles.

Vir die eerste keer voel dit of hul familieverlede 'n bietjie meer sin maak.

For the first time, it feels as if their family past makes a little more sense.

Hulle het nie al die antwoorde nie, maar hulle het mekaar.

They don't have all the answers, but they have each other.

Hulle draai stadig om en stap terug na die veerboot.

They slowly turn and walk back to the ferry.

Robbeneiland bly agter, maar die herinneringe en verhoudings wat hier versterk is, sal hulle altyd bybly.

Robbeneiland remains behind, but the memories and relationships strengthened here will always stay with them.

Marelise en Johan weet nou dat die pad vorentoe makliker is as dit saam gestap word.

Marelise and Johan now know that the road ahead is easier when walked together.