Sonce je komaj prilezlo izza hladnih oblakov v Trnovem, prijetni soseski Ljubljane, ko se je Miha odpravil na lokalno tržnico.

The sun had barely crept out from behind the cold clouds in Trnovo, a pleasant neighborhood in Ljubljana, when Miha set off for the local market.

Trženje se je prebudilo v živo igrišče, v utripajočem ritmu obarvanih stojnic, napolnjenih z zelenjavo, kruhom in aromatičnimi zelišči.

The marketplace had awakened into a lively playground, in the pulsating rhythm of colorful stalls filled with vegetables, bread, and aromatic herbs.

Miha je imel v mislih eno nalogo.

Miha had one task in mind.

Najti je moral popolne sestavine za pripravo tradicionalne pustne jedi, da bi navdušil prijatelja Tadeja in novo znanko Ano na prihajajočem praznovanju.

He needed to find the perfect ingredients to prepare a traditional Carnival dish to impress his friend Tadej and new acquaintance Ana at the upcoming celebration.

Pust je bil le nekaj dni oddaljen in z njim priložnost, da se Miha poveže z dragocenejšimi spomini iz otroštva.

Carnival was just a few days away, and with it came the opportunity for Miha to connect with cherished childhood memories.

Toda iskanje ni bilo lahko.

But the search wasn't easy.

Tržnica je bila polna ljudi, in marsikaj je bilo zaradi pozne zime težko dobiti.

The market was full of people, and many things were hard to find due to the late winter.

Miha je počasi prečesaval stojnice.

Miha slowly combed through the stalls.

Znotraj se je boril s svojimi dvomi.

Inside, he battled with his doubts.

"Bo dovolj?

"Will it be enough?"

" se je spraševal.

he wondered.

"Bom razočaral prijatelje, ker ne znam pripraviti tega, kar si želijo?

"Will I disappoint my friends because I can't prepare what they want?"

"V trenutku je opazil Ane, mlado žensko z nakupovalno torbo polno okusne zelenjave.

In a moment, he noticed Ana, a young woman with a shopping bag full of tasty vegetables.

Miha se je ustavil.

Miha stopped.

V notranjosti ga je grizlo nekaj skrbi, vendar je vedel, da mora narediti korak naprej, če želi uspeti.

Something inside worried him, but he knew he had to take a step forward if he wanted to succeed.

Odkimaval je z glavo, vendar se je le odločno obrnil k njej: "Oprostite, ali imate kakšen nasvet za to tržnico?

He shook his head, but then decisively turned to her: "Excuse me, do you have any tips for this market?"

"Ana se je široko nasmehnila, in takoj je bilo jasno, da deli ljubezen do tradicionalne kuhinje.

Ana smiled broadly, and it was immediately clear that she shared a love for traditional cuisine.

"Pozdravljen!

"Hello!

Moj nasvet?

My advice?

Iščite tisto, kar je lokalno in sezonsko," je rekla, preden je navrgla: "Kaj natančno iščete?

Look for what's local and seasonal," she said before adding, "What exactly are you looking for?"

"Miha se je počutil lažje, saj se je začel pogovor.

Miha felt lighter as the conversation started.

"Razmišljam o jedi za Pust.

"I'm thinking about a dish for Carnival.

Nisem prepričan, kaj tepka v tej sezoni.

I'm not sure what works in this season."

"Ana je razumela.

Ana understood.

"Veliko stvari manjka, ampak mogoče lahko uporabimo nekaj enostavnejšega.

"A lot is missing, but maybe we can use something simpler.

Kot bučna juha z malo domišljije.

Like pumpkin soup with a bit of imagination."

"Svetloba v Aninih očeh in toplina njenega glasu sta Miha pomirili.

The light in Ana's eyes and the warmth of her voice calmed Miha.

Kmalu sta si skupaj ogledovala stojnico in nabirala sestavine za nov, prilagojen recept.

Soon they were perusing a stall together, gathering ingredients for a new, adapted recipe.

"Tako, to bo zagotovo uspelo," je rekla Ana, medtem ko sta s polno roko sestavin odkorakala proti izhodu tržnice.

"There, this will surely work," Ana said, as they walked with their arms full of ingredients toward the market exit.

Med potjo je Miha delil nekaj spominov na otroštvo, na večere preživete ob pustnih norčijah.

Along the way, Miha shared some childhood memories, of evenings spent in Carnival revelry.

Ana je odgovorila s svojo različico bučne juhe, ki je vsebovala poseben, skrivni začimbo.

Ana responded with her version of pumpkin soup, which included a special, secret spice.

Ko se je večer Pusta približal, je bila Miha poln adrenalina, a tudi nenavadno miren.

As Carnival evening approached, Miha was full of adrenaline, yet strangely calm.

Kuhinja se je napolnila z vonjavami, kombinacija Mihovih in Aninih predstavitev se je zdela kot popolna simfonija.

The kitchen filled with aromas, the combination of Miha's and Ana's ideas seemed like a perfect symphony.

Prijatelji so se zbirali in klepet je postajal vedno bolj živahen.

Friends gathered, and the chatter grew more lively.

Miha je opazoval, kako se jed prenaša med prijatelji, in začutil nekaj, česar prej ni mogel začutiti.

Miha watched as the dish circulated among his friends, and felt something he hadn't been able to feel before.

Ob pogledu na nasmejane obraze je vedel: naredil je nekaj dobrega.

Seeing the smiling faces, he knew: he had done something good.

Povabili bi ga k mizi, k pogovoru, k novim zgodbam.

They invited him to the table, to conversation, to new stories.

To pustno praznovanje mu je bilo več kot le praznik.

This Carnival celebration meant more to him than just a festival.

Bilo je priložnost, da se opogumi, da premaga svoje strahove in odpre srce novim doživetjem.

It was an opportunity to muster courage, to conquer his fears, and to open his heart to new experiences.

Miha si je končno dovolil uživati v trenutku in spoznal, da popolnost ne pomeni vedno popolnih sestavin - včasih gre le za to, da deliš trenutke z drugimi.

Miha finally allowed himself to enjoy the moment and realized that perfection doesn't always mean having perfect ingredients—sometimes it's just about sharing moments with others.