Die rekenaars suis sag en die lugversorger se gedempte dreuning verskaf 'n konstante agtergrondgeluid.

The computers hum softly, and the air conditioner's muted drone provides a constant background noise.

Die somerson skyn helder deur die groot glasvensters van die kantoorgebou, terwyl die reuk van vars koffie in die lug hang.

The summer sun shines brightly through the large glass windows of the office building, while the smell of fresh coffee hangs in the air.

Dit is Valentynsdag.

It is Valentine's Day.

Die perfekte dag vir liefde, sou mens dink.

The perfect day for love, one would think.

Maar binne-in my kop voel dit of donderweer op sy ergste toeslaan.

But inside my head, it feels as if thunder is striking at its worst.

Ek is Pieter, 'n projekbestuurder wat sy bes probeer om al die balle in die lug te hou.

I am Pieter, a project manager trying my best to keep all the balls in the air.

Vandag is die dag van die groot aanbieding.

Today is the day of the big presentation.

Ons projek is lank in die maak, en die sukses daarvan hang swaar oor my kop.

Our project has been long in the making, and its success weighs heavily on my mind.

En boonop, daar is Annelie.

And on top of that, there's Annelie.

Sy is 'n kollega en al lankal meer as net 'n kleingheid in my hart.

She is a colleague and has long been more than just a small thing in my heart.

Dis nie maklik om met 'n erge migraine na almal se verwagtinge te probeer voldoen nie.

It's not easy to try and meet everyone's expectations with a severe migraine.

Ek het besluit om voor te gee dat ek gesond is.

I decided to pretend that I'm healthy.

Jaco, my vriend en mede-kollaborateur, het my reeds aangemoedig om hulp te vra of 'n breek te neem, maar vandag is daar nie tyd vir pouses nie.

Jaco, my friend and fellow collaborator, has already encouraged me to ask for help or take a break, but today there's no time for pauses.

Ek het altyd gedroom om vir Annelie uit te vra, maar ek het nooit die moed gehad nie.

I've always dreamed of asking Annelie out, but I never had the courage.

Vandag wil ek dit anders hê.

Today, I want things to be different.

Na die aanbieding.

After the presentation.

Maar eers moet ek hierdie geskarrel oorleef.

But first, I need to survive this scramble.

My hande bewe effens as ek na die projektor stap.

My hands tremble slightly as I walk to the projector.

Die ligte dim en die skerm flits op.

The lights dim, and the screen flashes on.

Al wat ek nodig het, is fokus.

All I need is focus.

Maar toe ek regtig begin, steek die pyn weer in my kop.

But as I really start, the pain in my head strikes again.

Ek knyp my oë stomp toe, probeer stadig asemhaal en hou my hand oor my voorkop.

I squeeze my eyes shut, try to breathe slowly, and hold my hand over my forehead.

Skielik vang ek 'n blik van Annelie in die gehoor.

Suddenly, I catch a glimpse of Annelie in the audience.

Haar glimlag kalmeer die storm in my kop, al is dit net vir 'n oomblik.

Her smile calms the storm in my head, even if just for a moment.

Dit gee my die krag om die aanbieding af te handel.

It gives me the strength to finish the presentation.

Na die aanbieding onthou ek Jaco se woorde.

After the presentation, I remember Jaco's words.

Maar vandag, iets het verander.

But today, something has changed.

Ek voel 'n nuwe selfvertroue deur my are pomp.

I feel a new confidence pumping through my veins.

Miskien is dit tóg 'n goeie dag om 'n kans te vat.

Maybe it is a good day to take a chance after all.

Ek stap na Annelie se lessenaar, my hande skaars beweegliker.

I walk to Annelie's desk, my hands barely more steady.

"Annelie," begin ek huiwerig, "sal jy dalk saam met my 'n koffie wil vang later?

"Annelie," I begin hesitantly, "would you maybe like to catch a coffee with me later?"

" My stem kraak effens, maar ek hou aan glimlag.

My voice cracks slightly, but I keep smiling.

Annelie se oë blink en sy gehoor my vir 'n sekonde, skynbaar verras.

Annelie's eyes sparkle, and she listens to me for a second, seemingly surprised.

"Ja, Pieter, ek sou daarvan hou," sê sy met 'n warm glimlag.

"Yes, Pieter, I would love that," she says with a warm smile.

Daardie aand, by die koffiewinkel, voel alles duideliker.

That evening, at the coffee shop, everything feels clearer.

Die migraine is vergete.

The migraine is forgotten.

En ek besef dat dit okay is om soms kwesbaar te wees.

And I realize that it's okay to be vulnerable sometimes.

Dit was die regte besluit om myself oop te stel en ek verstaan nou dat moed soms in die eenvoudigste dinge lê.

It was the right decision to open up, and I now understand that courage sometimes lies in the simplest things.