Bhí an geimhreadh fuar ag cur do Aoife agus shiúil sí go mall trí Stephen's Green.

The cold winter was getting to Aoife, and she walked slowly through Stephen's Green.

Bhí na soilse Nollag ag lonrú, agus éanlaith an ghrá ag léimnigh idir na crainn maisithe.

The Christmas lights were shining, and lovebirds were hopping between the decorated trees.

Rug sí a cóta níos dlúithe uirthi féin chun cosáin an sioc a sheachaint, ag iarraidh teas an Nollaig a mhothú.

She pulled her coat tighter around herself to avoid the icy paths, trying to feel the warmth of Christmas.

Bhí an margadh Nollag ag oscailt, ceirdeoirí ag díol a n-ealaíontachtaí agus cumhra fíon te san aer.

The Christmas market was opening, with artisans selling their crafts and the smell of hot wine in the air.

Bhí sí tar éis teacht ar ais ó Londain, iniúchadh á dhéanamh uirthi féin agus a cuid aislingí.

She had just returned from London, exploring herself and her dreams.

Chonaic sí Cian, a cara óna hóige, i bhfad uirthi.

She saw Cian, a friend from her childhood, at a distance.

Bhí Cian ag breathnú timpeall, ag mothú an bringbhogha a bhí ag an bhfeara.

Cian was looking around, feeling the buzz in the air.

Bhí an t-am imithe go tapa ó bhí Aoife ar siúl i Londain.

Time had passed quickly since Aoife had been in London.

Bhí méala ann, ach bhí ionadh aoibhinn ann freisin.

There was a sense of loss, but there was also delightful surprise.

Níor áitigh sé é féin riamh, ach bhí mealladh aige i gcónaí chuig Aoife.

He had never admitted it to himself, but he always felt drawn to Aoife.

Gáire Aoife go cairdiúil agus chuir sí i leith Cian.

Aoife gave a friendly smile and approached Cian.

“Dia dhuit, a Chian!”

“Hello, Cian!”

“Dia is Muire dhuit, a Aoife,” arsa Cian, ag breathnú orthu lena súile cliste.

“Hello, Aoife,” said Cian, looking at her with intelligent eyes.

Shiúlaigh siad le chéile tríd na stallaí.

They walked together through the stalls.

Bhí rud éigin socair faoi bheith le chéile arís.

There was something calming about being together again.

Bhí mothú teasa ann i gcroílár an gheimhridh.

There was a feeling of warmth in the heart of winter.

“Conas atá Londain?” a d’fhiafraigh Cian, a raibh i gcónaí curtha chuige den saol níos comhchineáil.

“How is London?” Cian asked, always having a more kind-hearted view of life.

“Tá sé gnóthach, go leor oibre. Ach… níl mé cinnte,” d’ardaigh Aoife a súile go dtí na réaltaí geala os a gcionn.

“It’s busy, lots of work. But... I’m not sure,” Aoife raised her eyes to the bright stars above them.

“Tá rud éigin in easnamh. Nílim in ann teacht air.”

“Something is missing. I can't put my finger on it.”

Stán Cian uirthi, ag siúl leo in aice le haibhneacha fíon an margadh.

Cian gazed at her, walking with her beside the wine rivers of the market.

“B’fhéidir táthar ag súil go fóill in iúl, nó rud a chaitheann riamh leagan síos.”

“Maybe it’s something waiting to reveal itself, or something that never really settles.”

“B’fhéidir,” aontaigh Aoife.

“Perhaps,” agreed Aoife.

“Tá mé ag smaoineamh ar d’fhéadfadh teacht ar ais go BÁC. Nach gceapann tú?”

“I’m thinking about possibly coming back to Dublin. What do you think?”

Ag an bpointe sin, bhain amharclann na Nollag na soilse amach, ag cruthú éadrom na mílte cúig faoina n-aghaidh.

At that point, the Christmas lights of the theater turned on, creating a luminous field of thousands around them.

Bhí dóchas sa ghrianán, ding ar athruithe dearfacha.

There was hope in the glow, a hint of positive change.

“Bhuel,” d’éirigh le Cian go socair, “is áit álainn í Baile Átha Cliath, agus tá cairde maithe againn anseo.”

“Well,” Cian said calmly, “Dublin is a beautiful place, and we have good friends here.”

Aoife stad, ag féachaint isteach ina ocht.

Aoife paused, looking into his eyes.

Bhí turas fada rompu, ach bhí an bóthar ceart.

There was a long journey ahead, but the path was clear.

Ba mhaith léi a thuiscint a chruthú, a chinntiú go raibh sí sásta.

She wanted to create an understanding and make sure she was happy.

“Fanfaidh mé anseo le haghaidh cúrsaí fada,” ar Aoife, le solas na soilse ag damhsa ina súile.

“I’ll stay here for a while,” said Aoife, with the light of the lights dancing in her eyes.

“Déanfaimid amharc.”

“We’ll see.”

Plean do thodhchaí b’fheidir, cinnte.

Maybe a plan for the future, certainly.

Bhí Athrú eile ann: tuiscint dáiríre agus deis nua.

Another change was there: genuine understanding and a new opportunity.

Roimh Aoife, bhí an bealach lán de sholas Nollag, agus bhí ciúin aoibhneas ag déanamh imní di.

Ahead of Aoife, the path was full of Christmas light, and a quiet joy was bringing her comfort.