Tá séasúr an fhómhair ann, agus tá na duilleoga ag titim mar ór bog i gclós choláiste.

It's the autumn season, and the leaves are falling like soft gold in the college yard.

Isteach i ngach cúinne den dorm, tá tinte galánta dearga agus buí ar crochadh.

In every corner of the dorm, elegant red and yellow lights are hanging.

Tá imeacht mór don Lá Buíochais eagraithe don deireadh seachtaine, ag tabhairt daoine le chéile ó thíortha éagsúla.

A big event for Thanksgiving has been organized for the weekend, bringing people together from various countries.

Bhí Aoife agus Cian ina suí ar an tolg sa seomra coiteann.

Aoife and Cian were sitting on the couch in the common room.

Bhain Aoife taitneamh as ag déanamh cumadóireacht le maisiúcháin na féile, paipéir shnaidhmithe de thurcaithe déanta as siúcra crua.

Aoife was enjoying composing with the festival decorations, cut-out papers of turkeys made from hard sugar.

Ach ar feadh roinnt seachtainí anois, bhí rud amháin ag cur isteach uirthi—fuaim thik, thik, thik a bhí ag gadaíocht an chiúnais oíche.

But for some weeks now, one thing had been bothering her—the tick, tick, tick sound that was stealing the night's silence.

"Tá sé seo ag déanamh meabhrach orm," arsa Aoife, ag stracadh as a hionró ar pháipéir.

"This is driving me crazy," said Aoife, tearing her papers in frustration.

"Ní thuigeann éinne eile é a fheiceáil mar a dhéanaim.

"No one else seems to notice it like I do."

"Rinne Cian gáire, ach bhí sé sásta a chara a chloisteáil.

Cian laughed, but he was happy to listen to his friend.

"Tá tú ró-ghnóthach arís, Aoife.

"You're too busy again, Aoife.

Ach ar aon nós, cabhróidh mé leat.

But anyway, I'll help you."

"Tráthnóna amháin, le cumhracht cnámhóg ar an aer agus gealánlas hoileán san oíche, shocraigh Aoife agus Cian dul ar thóir an foinse.

One evening, with the scent of boneset in the air and the gleam of an island in the night, Aoife and Cian decided to track down the source.

Chuaigh siad ag seiceáil na seomraí, ag éisteacht go cúramach le gach nóiméad.

They went checking the rooms, listening carefully to every moment.

Bhí an dinne éagúil.

The noise was elusive.

Uaireanta, d'fhuaim sé ón gcistin.

Sometimes, it sounded from the kitchen.

Uaireanta eile, bhí sé cosúil le bheith faoin staighre.

Other times, it seemed to be under the stairs.

Níor chaill Aoife a dúthracht agus d'éirigh Cian níos fiosrach de réir a chéile.

Aoife didn’t lose her determination, and Cian grew more curious as they went on.

Ó na go leor rúcháinteanna agus torainn, d'éireodh Aoife agus Cian níos gaire.

From the many whispers and noises, Aoife and Cian grew closer.

Múch síleadh na solais go bog, mearbhall ar a msmaointe mar lá na hisealacha dúnta.

Turning off the lights gently, confusion in her thoughts like a closed cage.

Nuair a d'aimsigh siad an foinse faoi dheireadh, bhí sé ag bun an mála ó mhic léinn a bhí gnóthach.

When they finally found the source, it was at the bottom of a bag belonging to a busy student.

Le seirbhís bheag do chlog nach raibh curtha ar ceal, d'fhéadfadh Aoife an clog a aimsiú.

With a small service to a clock that hadn’t been stopped, Aoife could identify the clock.

Bhí an mac léinn, Séan, critheartha agus bhí an locht go neamhbhalbh aige.

The student, Séan, was embarrassed and took the blame frankly.

Bhí sé ann fanacht ceanúil san oíche níos luaithe agus níor thug sé faoi deara an fadhb.

He admitted to staying up late and didn’t notice the problem.

Gabh Aoife buíochas agus bhí sí ag gáire, ag mothú go raibh sás amhain bainte amach acu.

Aoife thanked him and laughed, feeling like they had accomplished something.

"Bhuel, cá bhfuil deireadh thiar air," a dúirt Cian le grin.

"Well, there's an end to it," said Cian with a grin.

De réir a chéile, d'fhoghlaim Aoife nach mbeadh aon rud bainte amach mura mbeadh cabhair Cian ann.

Gradually, Aoife learned that nothing would have been accomplished without Cian's help.

Agus d'fhoghlaim sé nach mbeadh na rúndiamhra uilig réitithe go dtí go mbeadh trócar de chara maith inar mo thaithniamhnach é.

And he learned that no mysteries would be solved without the kindness of a good friend in which he's delighted.

I dteannta a chéile agus lámha ina chéile, d'fhág siad an dorm, ag filleadh don aontas agus a gcumhacht lena chéile.

Together, hand in hand, they left the dorm, returning to the reunion and their strength together.

Bhí an oíche anuas síochánta, agus faoi thráthnóna an féile, bhí Aoife agus Cian réidh le teacht le chéile agus taitneamh a bhaint as an saoire.

The evening grew quiet, and by the festival's afternoon, Aoife and Cian were ready to join together and enjoy the holiday.