Les fulles dels plataners del Raval ja començaven a caure, pintant els carrers amb un to groguenc.

The leaves of the plataners in the Raval were already starting to fall, painting the streets with a yellowish hue.

Els comerciants del mercat preparaven les seves parades, plenes de fruits i verdures de temporada.

The merchants at the market were preparing their stalls, full of seasonal fruits and vegetables.

El soroll de les veus barrejant-se amb l'olor de les espècies era un senyal inequívoc d'una nova tardor a Barcelona.

The sound of voices mingling with the scent of spices was an unmistakable sign of a new autumn in Barcelona.

Martí i Júlia passejaven pel mercat.

Martí and Júlia were strolling through the market.

Martí volia sorprendre Júlia amb un sopar especial.

Martí wanted to surprise Júlia with a special dinner.

La Castanyada s'acostava i Martí volia impressionar-la amb un plat tradicional.

La Castanyada was approaching, and Martí wanted to impress her with a traditional dish.

Ell, però, no se sentia del tot segur.

However, he didn't feel entirely confident.

Buscava castanyes fresques, però la multitud i la varietat d'ingredients el desbordaven.

He was looking for fresh chestnuts, but the crowd and the variety of ingredients overwhelmed him.

—Tranquil, Martí —va dir Júlia somrient—.

“Don't worry, Martí,” Júlia said, smiling.

Avui ajudo jo també.

“I'll help today too.

M'encanta descobrir nous sabors.

I love discovering new flavors.”

Ell va sentir-se una mica alleujat, però encara es veia indecís entre les parades.

He felt a little relieved but still seemed indecisive among the stalls.

De sobte, es va topar amb una parada ben acolorida.

Suddenly, he stumbled upon a very colorful stall.

El venedor, un home de mitjana edat amb un somriure càlid, els va saludar.

The vendor, a middle-aged man with a warm smile, greeted them.

—Busqueu alguna cosa especial? —va preguntar amb amabilitat.

“Are you looking for something special?” he asked kindly.

Martí li explicà el seu dilema.

Martí explained his dilemma.

Necessitava castanyes, però volia també alguna cosa singular per sorprendre Júlia.

He needed chestnuts but also wanted something unique to surprise Júlia.

El venedor va assentir amb un aire comprensiu.

The vendor nodded with an understanding air.

—Tinc just el que necessites —va dir mentre agafava un petit sac de castanyes—.

“I have just what you need,” he said while grabbing a small sack of chestnuts.

Però també prova aquest ingredient—.

“But also try this ingredient.”

Va mostrar una cistella amb bolets de tardor, poc comuns però molt gustosos.

He showed them a basket of autumn mushrooms, uncommon but very tasty.

Sense pensar-s'ho dues vegades, Martí va decidir seguir el consell del venedor.

Without a second thought, Martí decided to follow the vendor's advice.

Amb les castanyes i els bolets, el seu pla començava a prendre forma.

With the chestnuts and mushrooms, his plan began to take shape.

Júlia se'l mirava, intrigada.

Júlia looked at him, intrigued.

A casa, Martí es va posar a la cuina amb determinació.

At home, Martí approached the kitchen with determination.

Júlia va ajudar-lo, trossejant els bolets mentre ell preparava el sofregit.

Júlia helped him by chopping the mushrooms while he prepared the sauté.

L'olor a foc lent es va escampar per casa, omplint l'ambient de fragància.

The slow-cooked aroma spread throughout the house, filling the air with fragrance.

Finalment, el plat va estar a punt.

Finally, the dish was ready.

Era un guisat de castanyes i bolets, acompanyat de carn suculenta.

It was a stew of chestnuts and mushrooms, accompanied by succulent meat.

Júlia no podia esperar a tastar-lo.

Júlia couldn’t wait to taste it.

Submisament, Martí li va servir un plat.

Submissively, Martí served her a plate.

Al cap d'una estona, Júlia alçava la vista, sorpresa.

After a while, Júlia looked up, surprised.

—Això és deliciós!

“This is delicious!

No m'esperava que fossis tan bon cuiner.

I didn't expect you to be such a good cook.”

Martí va somriure, orgullós de si mateix, agraint en silenci el consell inesperat del venedor.

Martí smiled, proud of himself, silently thankful for the vendor's unexpected advice.

Havia après que, de vegades, calia escoltar i adaptar-se.

He had learned that sometimes one must listen and adapt.

Aquella nit, mentre les fulles seguien caient a fora, Martí i Júlia gaudien del seu sopar.

That night, as the leaves continued to fall outside, Martí and Júlia enjoyed their dinner.

El soroll alegre del mercat ja quedava lluny, però el record d'aquell dia els acompanyaria molt de temps.

The cheerful noise of the market was already far away, but the memory of that day would stay with them for a long time.

Martí havia trobat alguna cosa més que ingredients: havia descobert confiança en ell mateix.

Martí had found more than just ingredients: he had discovered confidence in himself.