Dolac pijaca u Zagrebu bila je živahna, unatoč hladnom zimskom povjetarcu.

The Dolac market in Zagreb was lively despite the cold winter breeze.

Luka je stajao na ulazu, uvlačeći toplinu u pluća i odlučno gledajući preko tezgi prepunih šarenog povrća i voća.

Luka stood at the entrance, inhaling the warmth into his lungs and resolutely gazing over stalls brimming with colorful fruits and vegetables.

Bio je početak siječnja, a gužva se još nije smirila nakon blagdana.

It was the beginning of January, and the crowd hadn't yet calmed down after the holidays.

"Idemo pronaći sve što nam treba, braco," rekla je Ivana stojeći uz njega.

"Let's find everything we need, brother," said Ivana standing next to him.

Imala je šal omotan oko vrata i ruke zavučene u džepove, spremna podržati Lukinu avanturu, ali i skeptično promatrala njegov entuzijazam.

She had a scarf wrapped around her neck and her hands tucked into her pockets, ready to support Luka's adventure but skeptically observing his enthusiasm.

"Sarma po bakinom receptu mora biti savršena. Dolazi potencijalni investitor," objasnio je Luka, dok su prolazili pokraj nizova štandova.

"Sarma according to grandma's recipe has to be perfect. A potential investor is coming," Luka explained as they passed by rows of stalls.

Već je osjećao lagani pritisak, ali i uzbuđenje zbog mogućnosti da pokaže svoje kulinarske vještine.

He already felt a slight pressure but also excitement at the chance to showcase his culinary skills.

"Da, da, znam," nasmijala se Ivana, "ali ne zaboravi, i ona koristi najbolje sastojke."

"Yes, yes, I know," laughed Ivana, "but don't forget, she also uses the best ingredients."

Dok su prolazili pijacom, Luka pregledavao sve: svježi kupus, domaću svinjetinu, mirisne začine.

As they walked through the market, Luka inspected everything: fresh cabbage, homemade pork, fragrant spices.

No, neka ključna roba bila je rijetka, a cijene visoke zbog nedavne blagdanske potražnje.

However, some key goods were scarce, and the prices were high due to the recent holiday demand.

Prolazili su pored štanda do štanda, ali uvijek nešto nije bilo po njegovim standardima.

They passed by stall after stall, but something was always off from his standards.

"Sve je to skupo, i ne baš sveže," uzdahnuo je Luka napuštajući jednu tezgu iza sebe praznih ruku.

"It's all expensive and not quite fresh," sighed Luka as he left one stall behind empty-handed.

"Možda bi trebao otići u supermarket?" predložila je Ivana s podignutom obrvom.

"Maybe you should go to the supermarket?" Ivana suggested with a raised eyebrow.

"Ne!" odlučno reče Luka.

"No!" Luka said decisively.

"Mora biti domaće. Takvog okusa nema u supermarketu."

"It must be local. That flavor isn't found in supermarkets."

Nedaleko, primijetio je štand s posljednjom hrpom savršenih listova kiselog kupusa, sjajnih i savitljivih.

Not far away, he noticed a stand with the last batch of perfect kiselo zelje leaves, shiny and pliable.

Luka je požurio prema njima, ali istovremeno je vidio drugog kupca kako se isto približava.

Luka hurried towards them, but at the same time saw another customer approaching.

Luka je oklijevao, ali znao je da mora pokušati.

He hesitated but knew he had to try.

"Dobro jutro," započeo je ljubazno, "zbilja mi trebaju ovi kupusovi listovi.

"Good morning," he began politely, "I really need these cabbage leaves.

Kuham po bakinom receptu za važnu priliku."

I'm cooking grandma's recipe for an important occasion."

Drugi kupac, stariji gospodin s pletenom kapom, zastao je, zaintrigiran.

The other customer, an older gentleman with a knitted cap, paused, intrigued.

"Bakin recept, kažeš?" upitao je s osmijehom.

"Grandma's recipe, you say?" he asked with a smile.

"Da, trebam zadiviti investitora," priznao je Luka, srce mu je brže kucalo.

"Yes, I need to impress an investor," admitted Luka, his heart beating faster.

"Moja baka ih je radila savršeno.

"My grandma made them perfectly.

Bile su... kako da kažem... nevjerojatne."

They were... how shall I say... incredible."

Stariji čovjek klimnuo je glavom, ostavljajući Lukine nade netaknutima.

The older man nodded, leaving Luka's hopes intact.

"Znam važnost sarmi," rekao je tiho.

"I know the importance of sarma," he said quietly.

"I ja sam nekad kuhao."

"I used to cook, too."

S blagim smiješkom, gurnuo je listove kupusa prema Luki.

With a gentle smile, he pushed the cabbage leaves towards Luka.

"Uzimaj, mladiću.

"Take them, young man.

Neka te sretno prati tvoje kuhanje."

May luck accompany your cooking."

Luka je duboko uzdahnuo od olakšanja i zahvalno prihvatio listove.

Luka exhaled deeply with relief and gratefully accepted the leaves.

"Hvala vam puno," rekao je s toplinom.

"Thank you very much," he said warmly.

Dok su Ivana i Luka hodali prema izlazu, Luka se osvrnuo i smatrao dan uspješnim.

As Ivana and Luka walked towards the exit, Luka looked back and considered the day a success.

Naučio je važnost upornosti i kreativnog razmišljanja.

He had learned the importance of persistence and creative thinking.

Njegovo povjerenje u vlastite sposobnosti poraslo je.

His confidence in his abilities had grown.

"Idući put," reče Ivana s osmijehom, "morat ćeš imati još poneku bakinu priču u rukavu."

"Next time," said Ivana with a smile, "you'll need to have a few more grandma's stories up your sleeve."

Luka je znalački klimnuo, osjećajući kako mu se strast prema kuhanju jača.

Luka knowingly nodded, feeling his passion for cooking grow stronger.

Izazovi su postajali odskočne daske, a njegova lakša prilagodba bila je ključna za uspjeh.

Challenges became stepping stones, and his easier adaptability was key to success.

Tako je vladavina kuharskog umijeća starije generacije mogla nastaviti živjeti zahvaljujući njegovom trudu.

Thus, the mastery of culinary skills from the older generation could continue to live on thanks to his effort.