In die koelte van die skoolbiblioteek, net verlig deur die sagte sonstrale wat deur die groot vensters instroom, sit Anton en Mariska aan 'n houttafel vol boeke gestapel.

In the coolness of the school library, only lit by the soft sunbeams streaming through the large windows, Anton and Mariska sit at a wooden table piled with books.

Dit is die laaste dae van die somervakansie, en daar is 'n stil opgewondenheid in die lug vir die naderende Nuwejaarsdag.

It is the last days of the summer vacation, and there is a quiet excitement in the air for the approaching New Year's Day.

Anton vryf sy oë moeg-af.

Anton rubs his eyes wearily.

Hy is gefokus op sy boeke, vasbeslote om sy eksamens met vlieënde vaandels te slaag.

He is focused on his books, determined to pass his exams with flying colors.

Hy weet dié prestasie kan hom ‘n beurs na 'n prestigeryke universiteit besorg.

He knows this achievement can secure him a scholarship to a prestigious university.

Die druk is tasbaar, en sy gefrons is diep.

The pressure is palpable, and his frown is deep.

Mariska aan die ander kant van die tafel, sit agteroor met haar tekenboekjie.

Mariska, on the other side of the table, leans back with her sketchbook.

Sy is in haar eie wêreld, 'n wêreld vol kleur en vorms.

She is in her own world, a world full of color and forms.

Sy weet dat Anton gestres is, en dit pla haar dat hy lyk asof hy vergeet om te leef.

She knows that Anton is stressed, and it bothers her that he seems to forget to live.

"Anton, los daardie boeke en laat ons iets gaan regmaak vir die Nuwe Jaar," stel Mariska met 'n glimlag voor.

"Anton, put those books down and let's do something to prepare for the New Year," suggests Mariska with a smile.

Haar oë blink van energie.

Her eyes sparkle with energy.

Anton sug en kyk op.

Anton sighs and looks up.

"Ek kan nie nou speel nie, Mariska.

"I can't play now, Mariska.

Die eksamens is om die draai, en ek móét goed doen.

The exams are around the corner, and I must do well."

""Maar Anton," herinner Mariska hom sag, "jy kan nie jou hele lewe in boeke versteek nie.

"But Anton," Mariska gently reminds him, "you can't hide your whole life in books.

Dis uiteindelik hoe jy die lewe geniet wat saak maak.

Ultimately, it's about how you enjoy life that matters."

"Anton sit sy pen neer, sy vingers blink van inkvlekke.

Anton puts his pen down, his fingers shiny with ink stains.

Hy voel die frustrasie in hom opbou.

He feels the frustration building inside him.

"Jy neem niks ernstig op nie, Mariska.

"You don't take anything seriously, Mariska.

Ek het drome waarvoor ek moet werk.

I have dreams I need to work for."

""Ek het ook drome," antwoord Mariska, "maar drome beteken niks as jy nie die reis geniet nie.

"I have dreams too," Mariska responds, "but dreams mean nothing if you don't enjoy the journey."

"Hierdie woorde laat Anton stil staan.

These words stop Anton.

Hy kyk na die blomtuin buite die venster, die wat ongelukkig onopgemerk was in al sy ywer.

He looks at the flower garden outside the window, one that unfortunately went unnoticed in all his diligence.

Na 'n lang stilte, stoot hy die boeke van hom weg.

After a long silence, he pushes his books away.

Hy staan op en haal diep asem, die koelheid van die biblioteek wat om sy oorverhitte vel draai.

He stands up and takes a deep breath, the coolness of the library wrapping around his overheated skin.

"Miskien het jy reg," sê Anton uiteindelik, en 'n klein glimlag breek deur sy somber gesig.

"Maybe you're right," says Anton finally, and a small smile breaks through his somber face.

"Ek kan 'n breek neem.

"I can take a break."

"Die twee verlaat die stille heiligdom van die biblioteek en stap in die laatmiddagson.

The two leave the quiet sanctuary of the library and step into the late afternoon sun.

Die somerhitte is norse, 'n herinnering aan die wêreld buite boeke en studies.

The summer heat is intense, a reminder of the world outside books and studies.

Saam besluit hulle om 'n bietjie verlore tyd op te vang, te lag en die helder kleure van die tuin te geniet.

Together they decide to make up for lost time, laugh, and enjoy the bright colors of the garden.

Anton besef, terwyl hulle deur die tuin loop, dat om groot drome na te jaag, hy soms net 'n stap terug moet neem.

Anton realizes, as they walk through the garden, that in chasing big dreams, sometimes he just needs to take a step back.

Die balans tussen werk en ontspan, vind hy, is waar die regte geluk lê.

The balance between work and relaxation, he finds, is where true happiness lies.

Mariska glimlag tevrede langs hom, want sy weet dat hulle albei 'n waardevolle les daardie dag geleer het.

Mariska smiles contentedly beside him, for she knows that they both learned a valuable lesson that day.

En Anton besef: die lewe se vervulling lê gelyk in die strewe sowel as die vreugde.

And Anton realizes: life's fulfillment lies equally in the pursuit as well as the joy.