Bhí an geimhreadh sáite go domhain i gcathair Savannah, agus bhí Forsyth Park lán le fuaim agus díol tríd an margadh Nollag.

Winter had sunk deep into the city of Savannah, and Forsyth Park was full of sound and bustle through the Christmas market.

Bhi Aoife agus Siobhán ina seasamh ag doras ceann de na stallaí ollmhóra, ag breathnú ar an atmaisféar taitneamhach.

Aoife and Siobhán stood at the door of one of the huge stalls, watching the pleasant atmosphere.

"Ná bí buartha, Aoife," a dúirt Siobhán go grinn, a súile ag spraoi le saol agus gártha, "Téigh agus labhair leis.

"Don't worry, Aoife," said Siobhán playfully, her eyes filled with life and laughter, "Go and talk to him.

Tá tú anseo chun taitneamh a bhaint as an Nollaig.

You're here to enjoy Christmas."

"Chroith Aoife a cloigeann, ag mothú beagáinín cúthail.

Aoife shook her head, feeling a bit shy.

Bhí sí i bhfad óna baile i nÉirinn, agus braitheadh uaigneas uirthi.

She was far from her home in Ireland, and she felt a sense of loneliness.

Ach nuair a d’fhéach sí amach thar radaíocht na soilse geala ag snámh i mbuí na hoíche, bhí a súile clúdaithe le suim.

But when she looked out over the radiance of the bright lights floating in the yellow of the night, her eyes were filled with interest.

I measc na stallaí go léir, chonaic sí Liam ann, ag cur minicín ar na ornáidí lámhdhéanta a bhí á dhíol aige.

Among all the stalls, she saw Liam there, carefully arranging the handmade ornaments he was selling.

Bhí éadaí caola air, agus bhí úire ina chroí ach freisin beagán imní agus strus.

He wore neat clothes, and there was freshness in his heart but also a bit of concern and stress.

Bhí sé soiléir go raibh sé paiseanta faoin méid a bhí á dhéanamh aige.

It was clear that he was passionate about what he was doing.

D’fhan Siobhán siar, a croí lán le fiosracht agus spleodrach.

Siobhán hung back, her heart full of curiosity and excitement.

Shín Aoife, leisce aici, buck misnigh a thógáil ón deoch the a raibh sí ag sip.

Hesitantly, Aoife took a gulp of courage from the hot drink she was sipping.

"Dia duit!

"Hello!"

" a dúirt sí go ciúin, ag dul i mbun comhrá le Liam.

she said quietly, starting a conversation with Liam.

"Tá do chuid oibre an-álainn.

"Your work is beautiful."

"D’ardaigh Liam a chloigeann agus chonaic sé Aoife go soiléir.

Liam raised his head and saw Aoife clearly.

Chonaic sé greann agus cineáltas ina súile, rud a chuir suaimhneas air.

He saw humor and kindness in her eyes, which put him at ease.

"Go raibh maith agat," a d’fhreagair sé le aoibh, "Tá sé deacair imirt sa mhargadh seo.

"Thank you," he replied with a smile, "It's hard to keep up in this market.

Ach is breá liom é.

But I love it."

""Táim i bhfad ó bhaile," a dúirt Aoife go buartha, "braitheann an Nollaig éagsúla anseo.

"I'm far from home," Aoife said sadly, "Christmas feels different here."

"Labhair siad ar feadh tamaill eile, ag roinnt scéalta faoina dtaithí, agus ag tabhairt aire dá chéile.

They talked for a while longer, sharing stories about their experiences, and taking care of each other.

D’athainadar fíor-chomhluadar ina chéile agus thosaigh nasc sa mhargadh fuar fós teolaí.

They recognized a true connection in each other and a warm bond began in the still cold market.

Bhí Liam milis, agus bhí áthas ar Aoife duine éigin a fheiceáil ar leis an nádúr céanna di féin.

Liam was sweet, and Aoife was delighted to see someone who shared the same nature as herself.

D’aontaigh siad uimhreacha gutháin a mhalartú chun bualadh arís, b’fhéidir roimh an Nollaig.

They agreed to exchange phone numbers to meet again, perhaps before Christmas.

Bhí áthas ar Aoife go raibh sí tar éis costas an uaigneas a bhriseadh, agus bhí a fhios aici go mb’fhéidir go mbeadh rud éigin eile ag fás le Liam.

Aoife was happy that she had managed to break the ice of loneliness and knew that perhaps something more might be growing with Liam.

Ag siúl ar ais ina treo, chroith sí lámh leis agus phóg sé go huasal é.

Walking back in her direction, she shook hands with him and he graciously kissed it.

"Go raibh maith agat, Siobhán, as an gcuireadh.

"Thank you, Siobhán, for the invitation.

Anois, táim ag súil le rud éigin níos mó ná díreach bronntanais faoin gcrann.

Now, I'm looking forward to more than just gifts under the tree."

"Agus mar sin, i bhfásach phlódaithe Forsyth Park, faoin gcrannóg de shoilse tecoilteacha, fuair Aoife áthas agus cairdeas i mbaile iasachta i dtréimhse an tséasúir Nollag.

And so, in the crowded wilderness of Forsyth Park, under the canopy of twinkling lights, Aoife found joy and friendship in a foreign city during the Christmas season.