Tá an samhradh ann.

It is summer.

Tá an ghrian ag taitneamh go geal os cionn Bhaile Átha Cliath.

The sun is shining brightly above Baile Átha Cliath (Dublin).

Tá Niamh, Cillian agus mise, Aoife, i lár an scriúthóg i gceantar an aquariam.

Niamh, Cillian, and I, Aoife, are in the middle of a meandering in the aquarium area.

Níl plean againn do lá iomlán, ach tá sé beartaithe againn an t-aquarium a iniúchadh.

We don't have a plan for the entire day, but we intend to explore the aquarium.

Tá gá agam le beagán scíth a ligean agus smaoineamh ar mo chéad chéimeanna eile.

I need a little rest and to think about my next steps.

Nuair a shroicheamar doras an aquariaim, tá bolgán mór dathanna ag déanamh an bhaile as ár súile, díreach cosúil le scáthán ar dhromchla na mara.

When we arrive at the aquarium door, a big bubble of colors dazzles our eyes, just like a mirror on the surface of the sea.

Chomh luath agus isteach, bualadh muid le feighlithe mara áthasacha a thaispeánann dúinn trabhlóidí ná rialacha tanaí a bheith ag clár na sáfaibhe.

Once inside, we are greeted by cheerful marine attendants who show us the thin rules about the safety registers.

Seasaim siar beagán ón slua, ag ligean do Niamh agus Cillian plé le chéile.

I stand back a bit from the crowd, letting Niamh and Cillian discuss together.

Is breá liom iad, iad lena mbealach beoga beathach.

I love them, with their lively way of living.

Is maith liom am a chaitheamh leo, fiú má tá mé i mo smaointe féin beagán.

I like spending time with them, even if I'm a bit lost in my thoughts.

Agus muid ag coiscteach an chorridóir dorcha, líon áit na gcarraigeacha de bheathra ilchineálacha, bhí na haighneachtaí ar m'intinn fós.

As we proceed down the dark corridor, the rock area filled with diverse life forms, the concerns on my mind linger still.

Leag Niamh a lámh ar mo mhuineál, ag tabhairt faoiseamh dom as mo bhrionglóidíní féin.

Niamh placed her hand on my shoulder, giving me relief from my little reveries.

D'fhéach sí orm agus d'fhiafraigh sí, "An bhfuil gach rud ceart go leor, a Aoife?

She looked at me and asked, "Is everything okay, Aoife?"

"Bhí caint idir mo bhéal agus Cillian ar cairdeas blianta ó shin, agus anois, cosúil le carranna ina chiorcal, ní féidir liom glacadh réidh leis an gcúlroinn.

There was talk between me and Cillian about a friendship from years ago, and now, like cars in a circle, I can’t quite let go of the rear view.

"Níl a fhios agam," arsa mé leis an bhfírinne.

"I don’t know," I said truthfully.

"Níl mé cinnte cad is ceart dom a dhéanamh.

"I’m not sure what’s right for me to do."

"Céim ar chéim, dreapaimid tríd an aquariaim, go dtí go sroicheann muid an dánlann súilíneach.

Step by step, we climbed through the aquarium until we reached the shimmering gallery.

Na speicimíní áille snámha.

The beautiful swimming specimens.

Tá na faoileoga síoda ag sileadh go mall san uisce.

The silky jellyfish gliding slowly in the water.

Ceapaim go soiléir anois.

I begin to think clearly now.

Is í an áilleacht a spreagann scíth intinne.

It is the beauty that inspires peace of mind.

"Tá rud éigin ann ba mhaith liom a rá," phléas mé amach, ag breithiúnas ar m'fhocail.

"There is something I want to say," I burst out, measuring my words.

D'fhéach Cillian go socair orm.

Cillian looked at me calmly.

Lean mé orm, "Fháis an cairdeas a bhí againn.

I continued, "The friendship we had has grown.

Tá imní orm ach tá áthas orm freisin.

I'm worried but also happy.

Tá súil agam nach n-athraíonn an méid idir sinn.

I hope what we have doesn’t change."

" Thainig aoibh mhachnamhach ar Cillian lena aghaidh.

A contemplative smile came over Cillian's face.

"Ní gá duit a bhaint amach a oiread agus atá tú réidh," a dúirt sé go leisce.

"You don’t have to grasp everything at once," he said gently.

"Tosóidh muid beag go luath.

"Let's start small.

Cad faoi teacht anseo arís?

How about we come here again?"

"Dairteann mé aoibhneach, níos éadroime ná a raibh mé le tamall fada anuas.

I smiled broadly, feeling lighter than I have in a long time.

Ní raibh mé ag súil le réiteach díreach seo, ach mhothaigh mé níos sásta glacadh leis an aistear cinniúnach seo.

I wasn’t expecting a straightforward resolution, but I felt happier accepting this fateful journey.

Thóg mé léargas ar an solas as na haighneanna ollmhóra arís, agus anois bhí féith níos síoraí imní orm.

I glimpsed the light on the enormous creatures again, and now I had a more enduring sense of calm.

Ní bheadh ​​sé deacair níos mó a bheith oscailte faoi mo mhothúcháin as seo amach.

Being open about my feelings wouldn’t be difficult any longer.

Chuir an t-aquarium, lena shábháil, ormsa smaoineamh gan eagla a bheith oscailte.

The aquarium, with its sanctuary, made me think without fear of being open.

D'fhoghlaim mé nach bhfuil an vulnerability míshlánach, ach is féidir é a bheith cróga agus caradúil.

I learned that vulnerability isn’t burdensome, but it can be brave and friendly.