Zrinjevac je svjetlucao pod ljetnim suncem dok se mirisi cvijeća šire uz lagani vjetrić.

Zrinjevac shimmered under the summer sun as the scents of flowers spread with the gentle breeze.

Ljudi su bili posvuda, a melodije festivala Velike Gospe ispunile su zrak.

People were everywhere, and the melodies of the Assumption Day festival filled the air.

Ispod jednog starog stabla smokve, mali sivi mačić mišući repom zaglavio je među granama.

Beneath an old fig tree, a small gray kitten, wagging its tail, was stuck among the branches.

Ivan, mladić s naočalama i knjigom u ruci, šetao je parkom.

Ivan, a young man with glasses and a book in hand, was strolling through the park.

Volio je dolaziti ovdje nakon posla iz knjižnice, uživati u tišini i listanju knjiga.

He loved coming here after work at the library, enjoying the silence and leafing through books.

No, danas mu nešto drugo privuče pozornost – tihi mjauk.

But today, something else caught his attention—a soft meowing.

Nedaleko, Marija je prolazila s torbom punom letaka za sklonište.

Not far away, Marija walked by with a bag full of flyers for the shelter.

Njezin osmijeh bio je zarazan, iako je bila malo umorna od posla u skloništu.

Her smile was contagious, even though she was a little tired from working at the shelter.

Kada je ugledala mačića, zadrži dah.

When she saw the kitten, she held her breath.

„Siromah mali,“ reče tiho, prilazeći stablu.

"Poor little thing," she said quietly, approaching the tree.

Tada Ivan i Marija ugledaše jedno drugo.

Then Ivan and Marija noticed each other.

Osjećali su blagu nelagodu, ali ljubav prema životinjama bila je snažnija.

They felt a slight awkwardness, but their love for animals was stronger.

Ivan stidljivo reče: „Mogu li pomoći?“ Marija klimne glavom, zahvativši mu pogled pun zahvalnosti.

Ivan shyly said, "Can I help?" Marija nodded, catching his grateful gaze.

On se popne na nisku granu i pažljivo dohvati mačića.

He climbed onto a low branch and carefully reached for the kitten.

„Tako si hrabar,“ reče Marija kad se Ivan sigurno spusti na tlo.

"You're so brave," Marija said when Ivan safely got down.

„Bio je prestrašen,“ reče Ivan, pružajući mačića Mariji, „Hvala ti što si se već pobrinula za njega.“

“He was scared,” Ivan said, handing the kitten to Marija, “Thank you for already taking care of him.”

Nakon što je mačić bio siguran, Marija se osmjehne i reče: „Želiš li možda kasnije popiti kavu sa mnom?

After the kitten was safe, Marija smiled and said, "Would you like to have coffee with me later?

Kao zahvalnost.“ Ivan je iznenađeno podigao obrve, ali srce mu ubrza od pomisli da izađe iz svoje sigurne zone.

As a thank you." Ivan raised his eyebrows in surprise, but his heart raced at the thought of stepping out of his comfort zone.

U obližnjem kafiću, s mirisom svježe kave u zraku, razgovarali su neprestano.

In a nearby café, with the aroma of fresh coffee in the air, they talked non-stop.

Ivan je otkrio da Marija voli knjige, a ona je saznala da Ivan već dugo želi volontirati sa životinjama.

Ivan discovered that Marija loved books, and she found out that Ivan had long wanted to volunteer with animals.

Njihovo prijateljstvo započe neočekivano, ali čvrsto.

Their friendship began unexpectedly but firmly.

„Mislim da bi mogli biti dobri prijatelji,“ reče Marija sa smiješkom dok su završavali kavu.

“I think we could be good friends,” Marija said with a smile as they finished their coffee.

„I ja tako mislim,“ Ivan odgovori veselo.

“I think so, too,” Ivan replied cheerfully.

Dogovaraše se vidjeti sljedeći tjedan, a ovaj put, Ivan predloži da zajedno posjete knjižnicu.

They arranged to meet the following week, and this time, Ivan suggested they visit the library together.

Ljeto je nastavilo obasjavati park, ali Ivan i Marija su nosili svoje malo sunce u srcima, zahvaljujući malom mačiću koji ih je okupio.

Summer continued to light up the park, but Ivan and Marija carried their own little sunshine in their hearts, thanks to the small kitten that brought them together.

Njihovi životi postadoše bogatiji, prijateljstvo postade njihov novi početak.

Their lives became richer, their friendship a new beginning.