Bhí grian lag ag soilsiú síos ar shráideanna cobhsaí Barra an Teampaill.

A weak sun was shining down on the stable streets of Barra an Teampaill.

Bhí an áit lán le siopadóirí, crann Nollag ag taitneamh, agus boladh cnónna rósta san aer.

The place was full of shoppers, a Christmas tree glowing, and the scent of roasted nuts in the air.

Bhí Cian ag siúl go mall, a bhuille croí ag dul i méid le gach céim.

Cian was walking slowly, his heartbeat increasing with every step.

Bhí sé ag lorg bronntanais speisialta do Aoife.

He was looking for a special gift for Aoife.

Ba ghnáthchailín Aoife le Cian, í ina cara leis ar feadh tamaill.

Aoife was Cian's regular friend, someone who had been a friend for some time.

Bhí sé ag iarraidh léargas a thabhairt di ar a chuid mothúchán, ach gan é a rá go díreach.

He wanted to give her a glimpse of his feelings, without saying it directly.

Bhí cuma cheolmhar agus geal ar an cheantar, rud a cuireadh go mór lena imní.

The area had a musical and bright atmosphere, which only added to his anxiety.

Shocraigh Cian é féin síos taobh amuigh de shiopa beag seandachtaí.

Cian settled himself outside a small antique shop.

"B'fhéidir gur chóir dom labhairt le Niamh," a smaoinigh sé agus d'fhéach sé suas an tsráid.

"Maybe I should talk to Niamh," he thought and looked up the street.

Bhí Niamh cairdiúil, greannmhar, agus bhí fhios aici gach rud faoi Aoife.

Niamh was friendly, funny, and knew everything about Aoife.

Gan mórán smaoineamh breise, thug Cian aghaidh ar chaifé cozy i ngar don chrosbhealach áit a raibh sé eolach go mbíodh Niamh ann.

Without much further thought, Cian headed to a cozy café near the crossroads where he knew Niamh often was.

"Dia duit, Niamh!

"Hello, Niamh!"

" a ghlaoigh Cian ag dul isteach agus é ag trasnú an tseomra ag beannú di.

Cian called as he entered, crossing the room to greet her.

"Dia duit, Cian!

"Hello, Cian!

Cad atá suas leat?

What's up with you?"

" d'fhiafraigh sí nuair a shuigh sí in aice léi.

she asked when he sat down beside her.

Bhí Cian cúthail, ach níor theastaigh uaidh a rún a sceitheadh.

Cian was shy, but he didn't want to spill his secret.

"Táim ag lorg bronntanais speisialta do chara, agus cheap mé b'fhéidir go bhféadfá cabhrú liom.

"I'm looking for a special gift for a friend, and I thought maybe you could help me."

"Rinne Niamh smaoineamh, agus shíl sí ar na rudaí a thaitníonn le Aoife.

Niamh thought for a moment and considered what Aoife liked.

"Is breá léi seodra simplí le teagmháil phearsanta," a dúirt sí le meangadh beag.

"She loves simple jewelry with a personal touch," she said with a little smile.

Bhí buíochas mór ag Cian as an mblas seo.

Cian was very grateful for this hint.

D’fhág sé slán le Niamh agus chuaigh sé ar ais amach ar na sráideanna.

He said goodbye to Niamh and went back out onto the streets.

Ba mhór an faoiseamh dó an solas seo a bheith aige.

The relief of having this guidance was immense for him.

Go tobann, ghabh rud éigin súl a chinn.

Suddenly, something caught his eye.

Bhí sé ina stand seodra beag in aice le siopa eile.

It was a small jewelry stand next to another shop.

Ansin, bhí sé.

There it was.

Muince lámhdhéanta le cloch bheag atá chomh gorm leis an bhfarraige.

A handmade necklace with a small stone as blue as the sea.

Bhí sé foirfe, ach bhí a fhios aige go mbeadh sé ar an teorann maidir lena bhuiséad.

It was perfect, but he knew it would be at the limit of his budget.

D'amharc Cian ar an muince go faidéalach agus d'fhéach sé ansin ar a sparán.

Cian gazed longingly at the necklace and then looked at his wallet.

"Tá sé an-daor," a shíl sé.

"It's very expensive," he thought.

Ach mhothaigh sé go mbeidh sé ina infheistíocht ina chaidreamh ag tosú le Aoife.

But he felt it would be an investment in his budding relationship with Aoife.

D'íosnaigh sé a anáil agus thug sé céim isteach sa siopa.

He took a deep breath and stepped into the shop.

Bhí a fhios aige gurb é seo an rud ba cheart dó a dhéanamh.

He knew this was what he had to do.

Cheannaigh sé an muince, a chroí níos éadroime anois le muinín nua.

He bought the necklace, his heart lighter now with new confidence.

Nuair a d’fhill sé abhaile, chuir sé an muince i mbosca beag briosc.

When he returned home, he placed the necklace in a small crisp box.

Agus cé go raibh sé neirbhíseach fós, bhí sé lán dóchais.

And though he was still nervous, he was full of hope.

D’fhoghlaim sé go raibh áilleacht ann muinín a bheith aige as a instinct agus fial flaithiúil a bheith as féin.

He learned there was beauty in trusting his instincts and being generous with himself.

Nuair a tháinig Nollag, bhí an cuimilt beag sin idir Aoife agus Cian, an dá cheann ag glacadh céim bheag i dtreo caidreamh aisteoireachta nua, a raibh an muince gorm mar shéala álainn air.

When Christmas came, there was that small moment between Aoife and Cian, both taking a small step towards a new acting relationship, with the blue necklace as a beautiful seal upon it.