Kõik algas külmal veebruarikuu päeval.

Everything began on a cold February day.

Ümber laius Tallinn lauluväljaku lumega kaetud plats.

All around stretched the snow-covered expanse of the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds.

Külm õhk kandis lauluhelisid, sest inimesed harjutasid talviseks laulupeoks.

The cold air carried melodies, as people were rehearsing for the winter song festival.

Maarja seisis seal, süda veidi raskem kui tavaliselt.

Maarja stood there with a heart slightly heavier than usual.

Tal oli süles kiri, mille ta kirjutas Kerdile — parimale sõbrale, kellele ta oli tahtmatult haiget teinud.

She held in her arms a letter she had written to Kert — her best friend, whom she had unintentionally hurt.

Maarja teadis, et vabandamine oli midagi, mis ta sageli raske leidis.

Maarja knew that apologizing was something she often found difficult.

Ta oli uhke iseloomuga, kuid miski tema sees teadis, et ta peab selle sammu tegema.

She had a proud nature, but something inside her knew she had to take this step.

Valentiinipäev andis sellele kõigele tõuke, sest Maarja ei soovinud lasta külmal kibedal õhul puhuda nende sõprusest läbi.

Valentine's Day gave it all a push, as Maarja didn't want the chilly bitter air to sweep through their friendship.

Kert oli alati olnud mõistlik ja hooliv, kuid Maarja viimased sõnad olid teda haavanud.

Kert had always been understanding and caring, but Maarja's recent words had hurt him.

Need olid olnud valesti mõistetud, kuid see ei muutnud neid vähem valusaks.

They had been misunderstood, but that didn't make them any less painful.

Maarja otsustas kirjaga selgitada, miks ta oli reageerinud nii nagu ta oli, miks ta tundis rahutust.

Maarja decided to use the letter to explain why she had reacted as she did, and why she felt uneasy.

Maarja hingas sügavalt sisse ja astus ettevaatlikult üle lumise platsi.

Maarja took a deep breath and carefully stepped across the snowy field.

Igal sammul hakkasid mured kergemaks muutuma.

With each step, her worries began to lighten.

Ta seadis sammud lauluväljaku kaare alla, kus Kert tavaliselt peatus teiste lauljate seltsis.

She headed toward the arch of the song festival grounds, where Kert usually lingered with other singers.

Oli vaikne hetk, kui Maarja teda märkas.

There was a quiet moment when Maarja spotted him.

Kert seisis teiste hulgas, kuulates tähelepanelikult õpetaja juhiseid.

Kert was standing among others, listening attentively to the teacher's instructions.

Maarja ei tahtnud ootamisega enam venitada.

Maarja didn't want to delay any longer.

Ta kogus kõik oma julguse ja lähenes Kerdile.

She gathered all her courage and approached Kert.

„Kert,“ alustas Maarja häbelikult, ulatades kirja.

"Kert," Maarja began shyly, extending the letter.

„Palun loe seda.

"Please read this.

Ma tahan, et sa mõistaksid mu mõtteid.

I want you to understand my thoughts.

Ma tõesti kahetsen.

I truly regret it."

“Kert vaatas Maarjat mõtlikult ja võttis kirja vastu.

Kert looked at Maarja thoughtfully and accepted the letter.

Maarja astus sammu tagasi, süda põksumas.

Maarja stepped back, her heart pounding.

Kert avas kirja hoolikalt, kui Maarja vaatas kõrvalt, lootes parimat.

Kert carefully opened the letter, as Maarja watched from the side, hoping for the best.

Kert luges hoolikalt, aeglaselt, võttis iga sõna sisse.

Kert read carefully, slowly, taking in each word.

Siis vaatas ta Maarjale otsa.

Then he looked at Maarja.

Tema näol paistis leevendus ja pehmus, kui ta ütles: „Aitäh, Maarja.

Relief and softness showed on his face as he said, "Thank you, Maarja.

Ma hindan su ausust.

I appreciate your honesty."

“Nad astusid eemale teiste saginast ja hakkasid rääkima, ilm kägisemas ümberringi.

They stepped away from the bustle of others and began to talk, the weather wrapping around them.

Maarja väljendas end ausalt ja Kert rääkis oma tunnetest.

Maarja expressed herself honestly, and Kert spoke about his feelings.

Maarjale meeldis kuulda, et Kert ei pahandanud tema seletusi, vaid hindas seda, et Maarja oli end avanud.

Maarja was glad to hear that Kert did not begrudge her explanations but appreciated that Maarja had opened up.

Lõpuks kallistasid nad.

Finally, they hugged.

Nii külm ei jõudnud nende vahele.

The cold couldn't come between them.

Nad naersid ja leidsid, et sõprus oli midagi, mida nad ei soovinud enam seada ohtu.

They laughed and realized their friendship was something they no longer wanted to jeopardize.

Nad lubasid rääkida ja kuulata, kui edaspidi midagi jälle mõista jäänud.

They promised to talk and listen if something were ever again left unspoken.

Maarja õppis olema alandlikum, Kert aga avatum.

Maarja learned to be more humble, while Kert became more open.

Vaimustus valgeks katsid nad lumisel lauluväljakul, teades, et läbi tuulte ja paukse pakase jääb sõprus tugevalt püsti.

In the white delight, they stood on the snowy song festival grounds, knowing that through the winds and the biting frost, their friendship would stand strong.