Siúlann Siobhan tríd an halla gnóthach i gColáiste Pobail Naomh Pádraig.

Siobhán walks through the busy hall in Coláiste Pobail Naomh Pádraig.

Tá an geimhreadh anseo agus mothaíonn an fuacht ag teannadh isteach uirthi, cé nach bhfuil an aimsir an-fhuar sa scoil.

Winter is here and she feels the cold creeping in on her, even though the weather isn't very cold inside the school.

Tá fós sneachta leáite le feiceáil tríd na fuinneoga.

Melted snow is still visible through the windows.

Tá guthanna ardchaointe na scoláirí eile ag druidim timpeall uirthi mar tonnta i bhfarraige mhór.

The loud voices of the other students are closing around her like waves in a large sea.

Ar ndóigh, bíonn an gnóthachtáil seo de ghnáth suaimhnis aici, ina ndéanann sí cara lena smaointe ciúine.

Usually, this busyness is a calm for her, where she makes friends with her quiet thoughts.

Ach inniu, tá gach rud ró-ard do cheann Siobhan.

But today, everything is too loud for Siobhán's head.

Tá athshnua ag a migreán, éadrom ach leanúnach, a dhorchoileann a hintinn gach re seach.

Her migraine has returned, light but persistent, clouding her mind every now and then.

Ach ní mór di fanacht dírithe.

But she must stay focused.

Tá uirthi a bheith ar a dícheall, mar is breá léi bheith i gceannas ar an rang sna scrúduithe.

She has to do her best, as she loves being at the top of the class in the exams.

Buaileann sí le Aiden ag an gcoirnéal ina bhfuil na comh-aireachta ag seasamh mar shaighdiúirí dílse.

She meets Aiden at the corner where the lockers stand like loyal soldiers.

Tá gáire mór ar a aghaidh, a fhuinneamh iontach mar nós é, fiú má tá an aimsir dorcha amuigh.

There's a big smile on his face, his energy as great as ever, even if the weather is dark outside.

"Dia duit, Siobhan," arsa sé le croí mhaith. "Tá cuma ort ar nós go bhféadfadh tú roinnt scíthe a úsáid?"

"Hello, Siobhán," he says warmly. "You look like you could use some rest?"

"Cinnte," a deir sí, ag iarraidh an pian a cheilt faoi aoibh gháire laidir. "Ach tá mé ceart go leor."

"Certainly," she says, trying to hide the pain under a strong smile. "But I'm okay."

Féachann Aiden uirthi le súile imníoch. "Má tá cabhair uait, táim anseo."

Aiden looks at her with concerned eyes. "If you need help, I'm here."

Buailim leo-annsin, Fiona a thabhairt isteach. "Siobhan," arsa Fiona go cneasta ach go daingean, "ní gá go mbíonn tú i do laoch i gcónaí. Inis dom, cad atá ag cur isteach ort?"

They are then joined by Fiona. "Siobhán," says Fiona gently but firmly, "you don't always have to be a hero. Tell me, what's bothering you?"

"Is beag an rud é," freagraíonn Siobhan, cáint aici an t-ualach a sheachaint. "Nílim ag iarraidh aon imní a chruthú."

"It's nothing much," Siobhán replies, avoiding the burden of conversation. "I don't want to create any worry."

Níl Fiona sásta leis an bhfreagra sin. "Caithfidh tú aire a thabhairt do do shláinte, Siobhan. Tá sé níos tábhachtaí ná aon rud eile."

Fiona isn't satisfied with that answer. "You need to take care of your health, Siobhán. It's more important than anything else."

Faigheann Siobhan an misneach, cé nach bhfuil sí cinnte cén fáth, b'fhéidir ar an lá ar leith sin, ach tagann sí chun an chinneadh cabhair a lorg sa deireadh.

Siobhán finds the courage, although she's not sure why, maybe on that particular day, but she finally decides to seek help.

Siúlann sí go mall chuig doras an oifige altranais agus buaileann sí cnag beag air.

She walks slowly to the nurse's office door and gently knocks on it.

Osclaíonn an altra é, le haobrín lách agus croí oscailte ag fanacht ar an taobh istigh.

The nurse opens it, with a kind smile and an open heart waiting inside.

Labhraíonn Siobhan faoi dheireadh, ag ligean deora mar nach raibh sí ag súil leo. "Táim tuirseach... tá sé uafásach," a deir sí, ag mothú na bhfocal ag titim amhail clocha óna béal.

Siobhán finally speaks, tears falling unexpectedly. "I'm tired... it's awful," she says, feeling the words drop like stones from her mouth.

"Ith síoraí, is láidir thú," a deir an altra go bog. "Sásófadh sé mo chroí dá bhfaighfeá scíth agus tá é sin ceart go leor."

"Eat eternal, you are strong," the nurse says softly. "It would make my heart glad if you took a rest, and that's okay."

Go luath ina dhiaidh sin, faigheann Siobhan taise, piléar beag do phian, agus áit gegéantach ina dtógann sí sos ó uair an chloig árd.

Shortly thereafter, Siobhán receives relief, a small pill for pain, and a quiet place where she takes a break from the high pace.

Ag teacht amach as an oifig, mothaíonn sí an t-iontas a chuir imní ar aisce.

Coming out of the office, she feels the burden of worry lift.

Tuigeann sí anois go bhfuil neart i lorg cabhrach agus go bhfuil ar intinn í a úsáid.

She understands now that there is strength in seeking help, and she intends to use it.

Sraith nua sclábhaithe go dtí an réaltacht.

A new layer of understanding through reality.

Tá an sos duairce ag titim anois, cuirtear buíoch dhomhain i ndán di nach féidir a fholaíonn le haon fhichneach amháin.

The gloomy rest is now falling, bathed in deep gratitude that cannot be hidden with any mere blush.

B’fhéidir ní bheadh sí ag tosnú as an tús arís, ach is cinnte go raibh sí níos saibhre ó thaobh taithí.

She might not be starting from scratch, but she's certainly richer in experience.