Dioklecijanova Palača u Splitu odupirala se zimskom vremenu, a kroz njezine prastare kamene hodnike odjekivala je glazba.

The Dioklecijanova Palača in Split stood resilient against the winter weather, and music echoed through its ancient stone corridors.

Bila je to doba karnevala, vrijeme smijeha i boja.

It was carnival time, a season of laughter and color.

Ispred palače protezale su se bogato ukrašene štandove lokalne tržnice.

In front of the palace, richly decorated stalls of the local market stretched out.

Tu su se ljudi okupljali kako bi kupili maske, lutke i druge rukotvorine.

People gathered there to buy masks, puppets, and other handmade crafts.

Ivan je stajao na rubu jednog štanda, gledajući šarolike maske koje su ga gledale s visine.

Ivan stood at the edge of one stall, looking at the colorful masks that stared back from above.

Bilo je teško izabrati onu pravu.

It was hard to choose the right one.

Mislio je na Miu, djevojku koju je već dugo potajno simpatisao.

He thought of Mia, the girl he had secretly admired for a long time.

Njegova želja bila je iznenaditi ju savršenom maskom koja bi pokazala njegovo srce.

His wish was to surprise her with the perfect mask that would reveal his heart.

Mia je bila čarobna i vesela, toliko da je Ivan znao kako mora pronaći masku koja će uhvatiti njezinu radost.

Mia was magical and cheerful, so much so that Ivan knew he had to find a mask that captured her joy.

Njegov najbolji prijatelj Luka, poznat po svojoj nestašnosti, bio je uz njega.

His best friend, Luka, known for his mischief, was with him.

Luka je svojim šalama i lukavim osmijehom uvijek nalazio način da Ivana potakne na smijeh.

Luka always found a way to make Ivan laugh with his jokes and sly grin.

"Ivane, ova maska je prava za Miu," rekao je Luka, podižući ogromnu, perjem ukrašenu masku koja je izgledala smiješno.

"Ivane, this mask is perfect for Mia," Luka said, lifting a huge, feather-adorned mask that looked funny.

"Sigurno će se barem nasmijati.

"At least she'll definitely laugh."

""Hvala, Luka, ali želim nešto što je zaista njoj slično," odgovori Ivan, pomalo nesiguran, ali s iskrom smijeha.

"Thanks, Luka, but I want something that truly resembles her," replied Ivan, a bit unsure but with a spark of laughter.

Dok su hodali među štandovima, Ivan je ugledao masku s tisuću boja i malenim zvončićima.

As they walked among the stalls, Ivan spotted a mask with a thousand colors and tiny bells.

Zvuk zvončića podsjetio ga je na Mijin osmijeh, na način na koji se njezin glas miješao s glazbom, stvarajući harmoniju koja je grijala srce.

The sound of the bells reminded him of Mia's smile, of the way her voice mingled with music, creating a harmony that warmed the heart.

"Mislim da sam našao," rekao je naglas.

"I think I found it," he said out loud.

Na večer karnevalske povorke, grad je bio osvijetljen.

On the night of the carnival parade, the city was illuminated.

Ivan je s maskom stajao sa strane, promatrajući Miju koja je uživala u atmosferi.

Ivan stood to the side with the mask, watching Mia enjoy the atmosphere.

Luka ga je lagano gurnuo prema njoj.

Luka gently pushed him towards her.

"Sad ili nikad, prijatelju," šapnuo je Luka s osmijehom.

"Now or never, friend," Luka whispered with a smile.

Uz duboki dah i malo treme, Ivan je prišao Miji i pružio joj masku.

With a deep breath and a bit of nervousness, Ivan approached Mia and offered her the mask.

"Za tebe," rekao je, spuštajući pogled s nježnošću.

"For you," he said, lowering his gaze with tenderness.

Mia je pogledala masku, dotaknuvši njezine zvončiće.

Mia looked at the mask, touching its bells.

Njezin osmijeh bio je širok i iskren.

Her smile was wide and genuine.

"Prekrasna je, hvala ti, Ivane," rekla je, nježno ga pogledavši u oči.

"It's beautiful, thank you, Ivane," she said, gently looking into his eyes.

Kako su se pridružili veseloj povorci, Ivan je osjetio novi val hrabrosti.

As they joined the lively parade, Ivan felt a new wave of courage.

I dok su hodali, zvuk zvončića s maske miješao se s glazbom grada, stvarajući melodiju koja je zauvijek ostala u sjećanju.

And as they walked, the sound of the bells from the mask mingled with the city's music, creating a melody that remained forever in memory.

Ivan je znao da se isplatilo riskirati.

Ivan knew it was worth the risk.

A Mia, s maskom u ruci i osmijehom na licu, nastavila je plesati kroz karnevalsku noć, stvorivši novu vezu koja je zbližila oba mlada srca.

And Mia, with the mask in hand and a smile on her face, continued to dance through the carnival night, forming a new bond that brought the two young hearts closer together.