Bratislava bola plná života.

Bratislava was full of life.

Vianočný trh žiaril svetlami, zatiaľ čo vzduchom sa niesla vôňa vareného vína, perníkov a pečených gaštanov.

The Christmas market glowed with lights, while the air was filled with the aroma of mulled wine, gingerbread, and roasted chestnuts.

Mráz jemne štipal na tvári, ale nikomu to nevadilo.

The frost gently nipped at the face, but no one minded.

Všetko pôsobilo čarovne.

Everything seemed magical.

Marek stál v rade na varené víno.

Marek stood in line for mulled wine.

Bol oblečený v teplom kabáte s čiapkou, no jeho srdce bolo naplnené zimou a melanchóliou.

He was dressed in a warm coat with a hat, yet his heart was filled with cold and melancholy.

Každý rok trávil Vianoce podobne, pocit samoty bol jeho stálym hosťom.

Every year he spent Christmas similarly, the feeling of loneliness was his constant companion.

Po pravici zrazu začul veselý smiech.

Suddenly, on his right, he heard cheerful laughter.

Zvedavo sa otočil a zbadal Zuzanu, usmievavú ženu, ktorej oči žiarili radosťou nad príchodom Vianoc.

Curiously, he turned and saw Zuzana, a smiling woman whose eyes shone with the joy of Christmas approaching.

"Ahoj," pozdravila ho Zuzana.

"Hello," Zuzana greeted him.

"Čakáš na varené víno?

"Are you waiting for mulled wine?

Tiež patria k mojim najobľúbenejším," dodala s úsmevom.

It's also one of my favorites," she added with a smile.

Marek prikývol, cítil sa trocha neisto.

Marek nodded, feeling a bit uncertain.

"Áno, aspoň niečo, čo zahreje," odpovedal stručne.

"Yes, at least something to warm up," he replied briefly.

Nebol si istý, či má chuť na rozhovor, ale Zuzanin entuziazmus bol nákazlivý.

He wasn't sure if he was in the mood for a conversation, but Zuzana's enthusiasm was contagious.

"Milujem tieto trhy.

"I love these markets.

Vianoce sú ideálny čas pre nových priateľov a dobrú náladu," povedala Zuzana a Marek sa začal cítiť o trochu lepšie.

Christmas is the perfect time for new friends and good cheer," said Zuzana, and Marek started to feel a bit better.

Postupne sa rozhovor viac rozvinul.

Gradually, the conversation developed more.

Zuzana kládla otázky, ktoré boli jednoducho osobné a Marek sa pristihol, že odpovedá.

Zuzana asked questions that were simply personal, and Marek found himself answering.

Rád počúval jej rozprávanie o meste, o malých radostiach života.

He enjoyed listening to her talk about the city, the small joys of life.

Nakoniec sa rozhodli prejsť k veľkému vianočnému stromčeku, ktorý svietil uprostred námestia.

Finally, they decided to head to the large Christmas tree that shone in the middle of the square.

"Pamätám si, keď som bol chlapec, Vianoce boli plné smiechu a tepla.

"I remember when I was a boy, Christmas was full of laughter and warmth.

Rodina bola spolu, a to boli najlepšie chvíle," zveril sa Marek.

The family was together, and those were the best moments," Marek confided.

Jeho hlas bol nostalgický a pohľad sa zdvihol k hviezdam, ktoré nad ním jemne žiarili.

His voice was nostalgic, and he looked up at the stars gently shining above.

Zuzana ho počúvala s porozumením.

Zuzana listened with understanding.

"To znie krásne," povedala.

"That sounds beautiful," she said.

"Možno by si mohol nájsť kus tej radosti aj tu, dnes večer.

"Maybe you could find a piece of that joy right here, tonight."

"Marek sa usmial.

Marek smiled.

Bola pravda, že sa cítil lepšie.

It was true that he felt better.

Možno Vianoce ešte neboli premárnené.

Maybe Christmas wasn't wasted yet.

Rozhodol sa ostať dlhšie, a Zuzana bez váhania súhlasila, že ho prevedie Bratislavou znova.

He decided to stay longer, and Zuzana readily agreed to show him Bratislava again.

Bola to perspektíva, ktorá ho zahriala viac než všetky vonkajšie sviečky a svetlá.

It was a prospect that warmed him more than any outside candles and lights.

Ako kráčali bok po boku, Marek pocítil niečo nové.

As they walked side by side, Marek felt something new.

Radosť a nádej, že tento rok neostane sám.

Joy and hope that this year he wouldn't stay alone.

Možno by si priateľstvo a spolupatričnosť našli cestu aj v jeho živote.

Maybe friendship and companionship would find their way into his life too.

A Zuzana cítila, že jej optimizmus a otvorenosť dokázali priniesť svetlo do niekoho dňa.

And Zuzana felt that her optimism and openness managed to bring light into someone's day.

Mali pred sebou celé Bratislavské Vianoce na objavovanie.

They had the whole Bratislava Christmas to explore ahead of them.