V rannom svetle, ktoré prúdilo cez sklenený strop vlakovej stanice, sa Marek a Katarína preplietali medzi rýchlo kráčajúcimi cestujúcimi.

In the early light streaming through the glass ceiling of the train station, Marek and Katarína weaved through the fast-walking passengers.

Zvuky vlakov a hlásení vytvárali hluk, ktorý miešal ich myšlienky.

The sounds of trains and announcements created a noise that mixed up their thoughts.

Marek mal jasný cieľ: získať miesto v prestížnom letnom programe.

Marek had a clear goal: to secure a spot in the prestigious summer program.

Katarína mala ten istý cieľ, ale z iných dôvodov – chcela byť konečne uznaná za svoje schopnosti.

Katarína had the same goal, but for different reasons—she wanted to finally be recognized for her abilities.

„Ahoj, Marek,“ oslovila ho Katarína, keď ho zazrela pri automate na lístky.

"Hi, Marek," Katarína addressed him when she saw him at the ticket machine.

Jej hlas bol tichý, ale dostatočne pevný.

Her voice was soft but firm enough.

„Aj ty ideš na prihlášku do letného programu?

"Are you also going to apply for the summer program?"

“Marek prikývol a usmial sa.

Marek nodded and smiled.

„Áno, dnes je posledný deň na registráciu.

"Yes, today is the last day to register.

Nervózny?

Nervous?"

“„Trochu,“ priznala Katarína.

"A bit," Katarína admitted.

„Chcem to zvládnuť čo najlepšie.

"I want to do my best."

“Pre Mareka to bola príležitosť dokázať svojim rodičom, že je najlepší.

For Marek, it was an opportunity to prove to his parents that he was the best.

Súťažil o pozornosť, ktorú mu rodina nedávala len tak.

He was competing for the attention that his family didn't give him easily.

Na druhú stranu, Katarína túžila po štipendiu, ktoré by jej pomohlo dosiahnuť vysoké ciele, ktoré si stanovila sama.

On the other hand, Katarína longed for a scholarship that would help her reach the high goals she had set for herself.

Zrazu Marek dostal esemesku od kamaráta.

Suddenly, Marek received a text message from a friend.

„Videl som niečo, čo by ti mohlo pomôcť pri prihláške,“ stálo v správe.

"I saw something that could help you with your application," the message read.

Marek obdržal informácie, ktoré mohli byť veľmi cenné aj pre Katarínu, ale rozhodoval sa ich neukázať.

Marek received information that could be very valuable for Katarína too, but he was contemplating whether to show it or not.

Katarína si všimla, že Marek niečo čítal a uvažoval.

Katarína noticed Marek was reading something and pondering.

„Všetko v poriadku?

"Is everything alright?"

“ spýtala sa.

she asked.

„Áno,“ odvetil, ale v očiach mal neistotu.

"Yes," he replied, but there was uncertainty in his eyes.

Keď prišli na miesto podávania prihlášok, napätie sa dalo cítiť vo vzduchu.

When they arrived at the application submission site, tension was palpable in the air.

Mladí študenti si podávali papiere a nádeje.

Young students were handing in papers and their hopes.

Marek stál s Katarínou v rade a cítil tlak.

Marek stood in line with Katarína, feeling the pressure.

Potom si k nemu Katarína privolala odvahu.

Then Katarína gathered the courage to approach him.

„Marek,“ začala pomaly, „mám nejaké materiály, ktoré by ti mohli pomôcť.

"Marek," she began slowly, "I have some materials that might help you.

Nie som si istá, či ich máš.

I'm not sure if you have them."

“Marek pochopil, čo sa deje.

Marek understood what was happening.

Katarína bola pripravená sa s ním podeliť, aj keď to znamenalo znížiť svoje šance.

Katarína was ready to share with him, even if it meant lowering her own chances.

Na moment všetko prehodnotil.

For a moment, he reassessed everything.

Bol to moment, keď si uvedomil, že videl niečo o empatii a spolupráci.

It was a moment when he realized something about empathy and cooperation.

„Aj ja mám niečo, čo by ti mohlo pomôcť,“ povedal Marek.

"I also have something that might help you," Marek said.

Katarínina tvár sa rozjasnila.

Katarína's face brightened.

Postavili sa bok po boku pri výdajni prihlášok a spojili svoje materiály.

They stood side by side at the submission counter and combined their materials.

Marek a Katarína začali pracovať ako tím.

Marek and Katarína started working as a team.

Prešli kritické body prihlášok, zhodnotili silné stránky toho druhého a tak kombinovali svoje vedomosti a schopnosti.

They went through critical points of the applications, evaluated each other's strengths, and thus combined their knowledge and skills.

O niekoľko týždňov neskôr obaja dostali špeciálny list poštou.

A few weeks later, they both received a special letter by mail.

S očakávaním otvárali obálky – obaja boli prijatí.

With anticipation, they opened the envelopes—both were accepted.

Nešlo len o prijatie do letného programu, ale aj o veľkú lekciu o spolupráci a dôvere.

It was not just about being accepted into the summer program, but also a significant lesson in cooperation and trust.

Na vlakovej stanici, kde sa všetko začalo, sa opäť stretli a usmiali sa.

At the train station, where it all began, they met again and smiled.

V letnom slnku sa zmenili – Marek pochopil hodnotu spolupráce, zatiaľ čo Katarína získala nový pocit sebadôvery.

In the summer sunshine, they had changed—Marek understood the value of cooperation, and Katarína gained a new sense of self-confidence.

„Sme lepší, keď spolupracujeme,“ povedal Marek.

"We are better when we collaborate," Marek said.

„Presne tak,“ usmiala sa Katarína.

"Exactly," Katarína smiled.

„A spoločné úspechy chutia lepšie.

"And shared successes taste better."