From Colleagues to Companions: A Valentine's Day at Kirstenbosch

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: From Colleagues to Companions: A Valentine's Day at Kirstenbosch
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2025-02-12-23-34-02-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die son sak stadig agter die ikoniese silhoeët van Tafelberg.
En: The sun sets slowly behind the iconic silhouette of Tafelberg.

Af: Die lug is warm, en die geure van fynbos vul die lug in die Kirstenbosch Botaniese Tuine.
En: The air is warm, and the scents of fynbos fill the air in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Af: Dit is Valentynsdag.
En: It is Valentine's Day.

Af: 'n Perfekte someraand vol beloftes.
En: A perfect summer evening full of promises.

Af: Thandi het hier vir Johan genooi.
En: Thandi has invited Johan here.

Af: Sy hoop om vandag meer as net 'n kollega in sy oë te wees.
En: She hopes to be more than just a colleague in his eyes today.

Af: Thandi is vol lewe, haar oë flonker soos sy na Johan kyk wat langs haar op die bank sit.
En: Thandi is full of life, her eyes sparkle as she looks at Johan sitting next to her on the bench.

Af: Johan se voorkop is effens gefronst, sy gedagtes duidelik by die nuwe sagteware-projek waarmee hy so druk besig is.
En: Johan's forehead is slightly furrowed, his thoughts clearly on the new software project he's so busy with.

Af: Hulle werk saam by 'n groot maatskappy, en hoewel Thandi hom bewonder vir sy intelligensie en werksetiek, hoop sy dat hy vanaand werk agter kan los.
En: They work together at a large company, and although Thandi admires him for his intelligence and work ethic, she hopes he'll leave work behind tonight.

Af: “Johan, is dit nie pragtig hier nie?
En: "Johan, isn't it beautiful here?"

Af: ” probeer Thandi, haar stem vol hoop.
En: Thandi tries, her voice full of hope.

Af: Johan kyk vlugtig op.
En: Johan glances up briefly.

Af: “Ja, dit is mooi,” sê hy, sy gedagtes duidelik nog vasgevang in kodes en skerms.
En: "Yes, it is beautiful," he says, his thoughts clearly still caught up in codes and screens.

Af: Sy telefoon piep in sy sak, en sy hand gaan instinktief daarnatoe voordat hy besef waar hy is.
En: His phone beeps in his pocket, and his hand instinctively reaches for it before he realizes where he is.

Af: Thandi sug innerlik, maar gee nie moed op nie.
En: Thandi sighs inwardly but doesn't give up hope.

Af: Hulle stap verder, omring deur die kleure van somerblomme.
En: They walk further, surrounded by the colors of summer flowers.

Af: Die wind ritsel liggies deur die bome, en die natuur probeer rustig oor hul spoel.
En: The wind rustles gently through the trees, and nature tries to wash over them peacefully.

Af: Sy weet sy moet haar gevoelens deel.
En: She knows she must share her feelings.

Af: Sy wil nie nog langer wag nie.
En: She doesn't want to wait any longer.

Af: Hulle stop by 'n bankie omring deur bont blomtuine.
En: They stop at a bench surrounded by colorful flower gardens.

Af: Thandi kyk na Johan, skep moed en sê, “Johan, ek moet jou iets vertel.
En: Thandi looks at Johan, gathers courage, and says, "Johan, I need to tell you something."

Af: ”Hy volg haar oë, en vir 'n oomblik is daar stilte, net die sagte geruis van die wind.
En: He meets her eyes, and for a moment, there is silence, just the soft whisper of the wind.

Af: Sy verwagtinge verander, hy draai sy aandag heeltemal na haar toe.
En: His expectations change, and he turns his full attention to her.

Af: “Ek.
En: "I...

Af: ek...