Bhí galaí géar an gheimhridh ag séideadh amuigh, ag tabhairt luaidhe bán na sneachta lena chéile.

The harsh winter gales were blowing outside, carrying the white lead of snow together.

Lasmuigh den fhuinneog, bhí an domhan faoi shrian, ach laistigh de sheomra codlata cúng an choláiste áfach, bhí saol níos ciúine ag titim i leataobh.

Outside the window, the world was constrained, but inside the narrow dorm room of the college, a quieter life was unfolding.

Cian, mac léinn tiomanta le haolscartha ar fud na seomra, agus é ag iarraidh gach rud faoi chúram don scrúdú meántéarma a thógáil, d'fhéach air le súile imníoch ar an tsraith leabhar agus nótaí os delante.

Cian, a dedicated student with textbooks scattered around the room, trying to gather everything for the midterm exam, looked anxiously at the array of books and notes before him.

Léim a gcairde Niamh agus Ronan isteach sa seomra le gáire croíúil.

His friends Niamh and Ronan leaped into the room with hearty laughter.

"Imbolc atá ann amárach!

"Tomorrow is Imbolc!"

" arsa Niamh le gáirdeas ina glór.

said Niamh with joy in her voice.

Bhí tolg bhog sa choirnéal agus leiteacha te ag fanacht leo inniu.

There was a soft couch in the corner and hot porridge awaiting them today.

"Déanfaimid ceiliúradh, tá Fómhair breá geallta," a dúirt sí.

"We’ll celebrate; a fine autumn is promised," she said.

"Caithim díriú ar staidéir," a mheabhraigh Cian, ina thon treadalach.

"I need to focus on studying," Cian reminded, in a dragging tone.

"Ní féidir liom faillí a dhéanamh ar an scrúdú amárach.

"I can't neglect the exam tomorrow."

""Bíonn Imbolc uair amháin sa bhliain," a chuir Ronan in iúl, agus é á neartú le nod nádurtha a dhéanamh le beochan sa tsáile.

"Imbolc only comes once a year," Ronan pointed out, reinforcing with an instinctive nod, animated in the ambiance.

"Déanfaimid ceiliúradh inniu agus is féidir leat éirí níos úr do mhárach.

"We'll celebrate today and you can be more refreshed for tomorrow."

"Bhí deacracht ag Cian é sin a ghlacadh.

Cian struggled to accept this.

Ar feadh na hoíche uair, logánaithe idir imní agus dúil san obair, bhí sé fós ag ardrialú.

For much of the night, caught between anxiety and a desire for work, he was still in high gear.

I lár an chiúnas seo, tháinig imníchrá ar Cian go tobann, beagán cosúil le sciathán i gcoinne na cloch.

In the midst of this stillness, worry suddenly struck Cian, somewhat like wings against stone.

Chrom sé a chuid lámha ar a cheann, a chloigeann ag bualadh i nódanna ceoil ina intinn.

He clasped his hands on his head, his mind pounding in musical beats within.

Síneadh Niamh, ag cur lámh bhog ar a ghuailne.

Niamh reached out, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Cian, tóg sos.

"Cian, take a break.

Ní féidir leat a bheith i gcónaí ceart, ach is féidir le cara cabhrú uaireanta.

You can't always be right, but a friend can help sometimes."

"D’fhéach Cian isteach i súile chalm, naisc na mac léinn ag neartú.

Cian looked into her calm eyes, the bonds between the students strengthening.

Thóg sé anáil fhada, scaoil sé na prátaí lánúin.

He took a long breath, releasing the bundled burdens.

Tar éis imoibríochta, bhí mothú nua ann - mothú nach raibh air féin seafóid a tharraingt amach ina dhualgas faoi sholas pale an Earraigh nua ag teacht.

Following this reaction, there was a new feeling - a feeling that he didn't have to pull nonsense out of his duties under the pale light of the coming spring.

Anois i dteannta a gcairde, d'imigh Cian an dorchla, éagsúlacht daonna ag baint le chéile.

Now in the company of his friends, Cian walked down the hallway, a human variety mingling together.

Bhí an t-atmaisféar socair, ceoltais áitiúil ag seinm go mall.

The atmosphere was calm, local music playing slowly.

Bhí an saol níos mó ná himeachtaí acadúla, agus nuair a chuaigh sé abhaile chuileánach amach, bhí sí sneachta fós ag titim - ach bhí Cian réidh, fágtha ciúin le comhcheilg chroí.

Life was more than academic events, and as he headed out into the evening, the snow was still falling - but Cian was ready, left calm with a conspiracy of heart.

Bhí a fhios aige anois gur gá cothromaíochta idir cairdeas agus staidéar.

He now knew that a balance between friendship and study was necessary.

Dúisigh an tseachtain eile lena intinn cothaithe.

Awaken the next week with his mind nourished.