Bhí grian an fhómhair ag dul i bhfolach taobh thiar de na scamaill dhonna.

The autumn sun was hiding behind the brown clouds.

Chlúdaigh na duilleoga óir talamh na h-ospidéil.

The golden leaves covered the hospital ground.

Sa tseachtain roimhe, thit siad ar nós báistí ciúin.

In the previous week, they had fallen like quiet rain.

Bhí Sorcha sa bhruach na fuinneoige, ag breathnú amach, a croí ag tomhaisteoireacht leis na smaointe ag scaipeadh trína ceann.

Sorcha was by the window ledge, looking out, her heart pacing with the thoughts spreading through her head.

Níorbh fhéidir le Sorcha éalú óna smaointe dorcha.

Sorcha could not escape her dark thoughts.

Uaireanta, bhí an saol ar an gcuirtín i bhfad ró-throm uirthi.

Sometimes, the world seemed too heavy for her.

Bhraith sí go raibh sí fós gafa leis na scáthanna ón am atá thart.

She felt she was still trapped by the shadows of the past.

Ach, bhí Eamon ag teacht inniu.

But, Eamon was coming today.

Bhí a fhios aici go raibh an turas fada do Eamon, ach bhí sé ag teacht—amháin ar mhaithe léi.

She knew the journey was long for Eamon, but he was coming—just for her sake.

"D'oibrigh sé i gcónaí chun rudaí a dhéanamh níos fearr," smaoinigh Sorcha.

"He always worked to make things better," Sorcha thought.

Ach ina chroí, bhí imní ar Eamon.

But in his heart, Eamon was worried.

Bhí tinneas Sorcha cosúil le ceo tiubh nach bhféadfadh sé a thrasnú.

Sorcha's illness was like a thick fog he couldn't cross.

Thar na blianta, mhothaigh sé gan chumhacht.

Over the years, he felt powerless.

Mar sin féin, bhí an t-oireann Oíche Shamhna faoi lánseol sa roinn.

Nonetheless, the Halloween festivity was in full swing in the ward.

Bhí pumpkins beaga, damhán alla bréige, agus taibhsí páipéir ag crochadh timpeall.

There were small pumpkins, fake spiders, and paper ghosts hanging around.

D'fhéadfadh duine gliosca le tinneas a laghdú, cé go mbeag.

It could ease someone's illness, even if just a little.

Bhí go leor eile, sheas sé don dúshlán.

Many others stood up to the challenge.

Oscladh an doras, agus tháinig Eamon isteach leis an aer fionnuar.

The door opened, and Eamon came in with the cool air.

Thuig Sorcha go díreach é.

Sorcha understood him immediately.

Níl uirthi ach breathnú air chun fios a bheith aige go raibh sí ag cuimhneamh air agus uirthi féin ag an am céanna.

She just had to look at him to know she was remembering him and herself at the same time.

"Dia duit, Sorcha," arsa sé go ciúin, agus é ag éirí chun slán a rá.

"Hello, Sorcha," he said quietly, rising to say goodbye.

Is cróga é an focal sin, síil Sorcha.

That word is courageous, Sorcha thought.

Bhí Eamon ag tabhairt surprise dóibh beirt.

Eamon was giving them both a surprise.

Thug sé pumpkin mór isteach leis.

He brought in a large pumpkin.

"An cuimhin leat an rud a dhéanamh seo?" d’iarr sé, ag cur súil go mbeadh sí in ann.

"Do you remember doing this?" he asked, hoping she would be able to.

Éagsúil is ea an aoibh.

A smile is different.

"Is cuimhin liom," a dúirt Sorcha, a lámh ag rianú leathlid an pumpkin.

"I remember," Sorcha said, her hand tracing the pumpkin's surface.

Thosaigh siad le chéile, gearradh amach na súile, srón, agus béal íocónach.

They started together, carving out the eyes, nose, and iconic mouth.

Cheangail an ghníomhaíocht neamhchiontach an bheirt, mar mheabhróidh sé do Sorcha faoin n-aineolas.

The innocent activity connected the two, as it reminded Sorcha of times without worries.

Labhair siad de réir a chéile, agus thosaigh Sorcha ag oscailt suas, ag roinnt na scéalta atá cosanta go dian aici.

Gradually, they talked, and Sorcha began to open up, sharing the stories she so fiercely guarded.

Ba é an climax ná an nóiméad a d'fhéadfaí a chur i láthair cad a bhí i gzghné de epitaphs a n-aithne.

The climax was the moment when it could be presented what was in each epitaph of their understanding.

Ba dheacair, ach bhain sé amach rud éigin nua i gcaidreamh.

It was difficult, but it achieved something new in the relationship.

Chaith na deora ar a leic; ach uair amuigh, d'fhuair siad bealach agus meon nua.

Tears fell on her cheek; but once outside, they found a new path and mindset.

Sa deireadh, d'imigh Eamon raint ann faoi mar a tháinig sé, ach le grá níos mó agus stúirm buan.

In the end, Eamon left just as he came, but with more love and lasting support.

Thuig sé nárbh é slán a d'éalaigh go hiomlán, ach an tús nua le patrones nua.

He understood that it wasn't a complete farewell, but a new beginning with new promises.

Bhí a fhios ag Sorcha anois nár ghá di a bheith ina haonar.

Sorcha now knew she didn't have to be alone.

Aontacht na bhfocal go léir fillte sa talamh nuabhunaithe sin.

The unity of all words wrapped in that newly founded ground.

Na duilleoga lasmuigh, de réir a chéile, glac siad a slí féin agus shocraigh ar dhearú draíochta an tsíochána fós ann.

The leaves outside, gradually, took their own path and settled on the magical design of the peace still there.