March 04, 2025

Rekindling Bonds: A Sibling Reunion in Stellenbosch

15 minutes

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Rekindling Bonds: A Sibling Reunion in Stellenbosch
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2025-03-04-23-34-01-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die klok slaan drie in die middag.
En: The clock strikes three in the afternoon.

Af: Die lug is bewolk en die koelte van herfs steek deur die strate van Stellenbosch.
En: The sky is overcast and the coolness of autumn stirs through the streets of Stellenbosch.

Af: Binne 'n knus koffiewinkel, omhul in amberlig, sit Pieter by 'n ronde tafel.
En: Inside a cozy coffee shop, enveloped in amber light, Pieter sits at a round table.

Af: Johann, sy jonger neef, praat vrolik oor die geurige wynlande.
En: Johann, his younger cousin, happily chats about the fragrant wine lands.

Af: Die plek ruis sag met 'n gerustellende gemurmel van stemme en die klank van koppies wat liggies klink.
En: The place softly hums with the comforting murmur of voices and the sound of cups gently clinking.

Af: Pieter agteroor ondersteun homself op die sagte stoel terwyl sy gedagtes dwaal.
En: Pieter leans back, supporting himself on the soft chair as his thoughts wander.

Af: Vandag is 'n spesiale dag.
En: Today is a special day.

Af: Hy het nie Annelie, sy suster, in jare gesien nie.
En: He hasn't seen Annelie, his sister, in years.

Af: Hulle verhouding was altyd moeilik, vol misverstande en stilte.
En: Their relationship had always been difficult, full of misunderstandings and silence.

Af: Maar vandag is anders.
En: But today is different.

Af: Hulle moet werk maak van mending.
En: They must make an effort to mend things.

Af: Toe Annelie deur die deur instap, verander die atmosfeer.
En: When Annelie steps through the door, the atmosphere changes.

Af: Sy lyk sagter, met 'n glimlag wat haar oë bereik.
En: She looks softer, with a smile that reaches her eyes.

Af: Johann skud sy hande opgewonde.
En: Johann excitedly shakes his hands.

Af: "Daar is sy!" roep hy uit.
En: "There she is!" he exclaims.

Af: Pieter kyk op, 'n mengsel van angs en hoop in sy oë.
En: Pieter looks up, a mix of anxiety and hope in his eyes.

Af: Hulle bestel koffie.
En: They order coffee.

Af: Die aroma vul die lug, 'n troosboodskap in elke asemteug.
En: The aroma fills the air, a message of comfort in every breath.

Af: Niemand weet regtig hoe om te begin praat nie.
En: No one really knows how to begin talking.

Af: Johann probeer 'n ligte geselskap hou.
En: Johann tries to keep a light conversation.

Af: Maar Pieter weet hy moet gefokus wees.
En: But Pieter knows he must stay focused.

Af: Hy haal diep asem en kyk Annelie in die oë.
En: He takes a deep breath and looks Annelie in the eyes.

Af: "Ek is jammer," sê hy eenvoudig.
En: "I'm sorry," he says simply.

Af: "Ek het dinge verkeerd verstaan."
En: "I misunderstood things."

Af: Annelie sit haar koppie neer.
En: Annelie puts down her cup.

Af: Sy glimlag hartseer.
En: She smiles sadly.

Af: "Ek ook Pieter.
En: "Me too, Pieter.

Af: Ons het goed verloor oor dinge wat nie saak maak nie."
En: We lost out on things that don't matter."

Af: Hulle praat.
En: They talk.

Af: Die gesprek is breekbaar, soos blare wat onder 'n boom val.
En: The conversation is fragile, like leaves falling beneath a tree.

Af: Daar is trane, maar ook lag.
En: There are tears, but also laughter.

Af: Hulle noem herinneringe van kinderjare, speel onder die eikebome en die reuk van Ma se gunstelingpastei.
En: They mention memories of childhood, playing under the oak trees, and the smell of Mom's favorite pie.

Af: Namate die son stadig verdwyn buite, verander die kleure van die koffiewinkel se mure.
En: As the sun slowly disappears outside, the colors of the coffee shop walls change.

Af: Hul woorde vlei hul harte en bou brûe oor die jare van stilte.
En: Their words soothe their hearts and build bridges over the years of silence.

Af: Pieter voel hoe 'n gewig lig.
En: Pieter feels a weight lift.

Af: Dis Human Rights Day oor 'n paar dae, 'n tyd vir nuwe begin.
En: It's Human Rights Day in a few days, a time for new beginnings.

Af: Met die vertrek is daar 'n laaste emosionele oomblik.
En: As they leave, there's a final emotional moment.

Af: Pieter en Annelie staan op en hulde die afstand met 'n omhelsing.
En: Pieter and Annelie stand and bridge the distance with a hug.

Af: "Welkom terug, suster," fluister Pieter.
En: "Welcome back, sister," Pieter whispers.

Af: Daardie aand stap hulle saam na die parkeerterrein.
En: That evening, they walk together to the parking lot.

Af: Daar is 'n nuwe ligheid in hul stappe.
En: There is a new lightness in their steps.

Af: Familie beteken nie net deel dieselfde bloed nie; dit beteken empatie en vergewe.
En: Family means not just sharing the same blood; it means empathy and forgiveness.

Af: Daardie herfsdag in Stellenbosch, in die warmte van 'n koffiekroeg, is iets nuuts gebore.
En: That autumn day in Stellenbosch, in the warmth of a coffee shop, something new was born.

Af: Pieter glimlag terwyl hulle vorentoe beweeg, sy gees vryer as in jare.
En: Pieter smiles as they move forward, his spirit freer than it has been in years.

Af: Hulle is op 'n pad van herstel.
En: They are on a path of healing.

Af: Dit is die klein stappies wat die grootste betekenis dra.
En: It is the small steps that carry the greatest meaning.

Vocabulary Words: