From Burnout to Balance: Mateo's Wake-Up Call in Buenos Aires

Fluent Fiction - Spanish: From Burnout to Balance: Mateo's Wake-Up Call in Buenos Aires
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/es/episode/2025-07-08-22-34-02-es

Story Transcript:

Es: El sol de la tarde se colaba por las ventanas del café en Buenos Aires, llenando el lugar de una luz cálida que contrastaba con el frío del invierno afuera.
En: The afternoon sun was filtering through the windows of the café in Buenos Aires, filling the place with a warm light that contrasted with the cold winter outside.

Es: Mateo estaba sentado en una de las mesas de madera, su laptop abierta frente a él, y una taza de café humeante al lado.
En: Mateo was sitting at one of the wooden tables, his laptop open in front of him, and a steaming cup of coffee beside him.

Es: El aroma a café recién hecho era reconfortante, pero su cabeza comenzó a latir con cada sorbo.
En: The aroma of freshly brewed coffee was comforting, but his head began to throb with each sip.

Es: Mateo era un diseñador gráfico apasionado por su trabajo.
En: Mateo was a graphic designer passionate about his work.

Es: Sin embargo, últimamente, el estrés y la falta de equilibrio en su vida lo estaban afectando.
En: However, lately, the stress and lack of balance in his life were affecting him.

Es: Había noches en las que apenas dormía, y los plazos laborales parecían una montaña que se volvía más alta cada día.
En: There were nights when he barely slept, and work deadlines seemed like a mountain that grew taller every day.

Es: No le hacía caso a su salud, pero algo estaba cambiando.
En: He was neglecting his health, but something was changing.

Es: Sentía un dolor en la cabeza que se intensificaba, acompañado de un mareo inesperado.
En: He felt a headache that intensified, accompanied by unexpected dizziness.

Es: Al principio, Mateo pensó que sería algo pasajero, quizás por falta de sueño o tal vez por tanto café.
En: At first, Mateo thought it was something temporary, perhaps due to lack of sleep or maybe too much coffee.

Es: Sin embargo, al intentar levantarse para pedir una aspirina, el mundo a su alrededor pareció inclinarse.
En: However, when he tried to stand up to ask for an aspirin, the world around him seemed to tilt.

Es: Sudaba frío en medio de aquel acogedor café.
En: He was sweating cold in the middle of that cozy café.

Es: En ese instante, recordó las palabras de Carmen, su mejor amiga.
En: At that moment, he remembered the words of Carmen, his best friend.

Es: Carmen era estudiante de medicina, siempre preocupada por él, insistiéndole en que se cuidara.
En: Carmen was a medical student, always worried about him, insisting that he take care of himself.

Es: Mateo sacó su teléfono, sus dedos temblorosos, y decidió llamarla.
En: Mateo took out his phone, his fingers trembling, and decided to call her.

Es: Se sentía un poco avergonzado.
En: He felt a bit embarrassed.

Es: "No quiero molestarla por una simple jaqueca", pensó.
En: "I don't want to bother her for a simple headache," he thought.

Es: Pero algo en su intuición le pedía hacer esa llamada.
En: But something in his intuition urged him to make that call.

Es: Carmen llegó rápido.
En: Carmen arrived quickly.

Es: Lleva siempre una calidez en su sonrisa, incluso cuando está preocupada.
En: She always carried a warmth in her smile, even when she was worried.

Es: Al entrar al café, vio a Mateo, su color de piel más pálido de lo usual.
En: Upon entering the café, she saw Mateo, his skin paler than usual.