Vesele boje jeseni zavladale su ulicama Zagreba.

The cheerful colors of autumn took over the streets of Zagreb.

Na Ilici, glavnoj gradskoj ulici, širio se miris svježe pečenih kestena.

On Ilica, the main city street, the scent of freshly roasted chestnuts wafted through the air.

Noćna svjetla bacala su tople sjene po kockicama pločnika, dok su prolaznici u neobičnim kostimima žurile prema lokalnom kafiću.

The night lights cast warm shadows over the cobblestones, as passersby in unusual costumes hurried towards a local café.

U samom srcu tog kaotičnog prizora bio je Ivan.

In the very heart of this chaotic scene was Ivan.

Bio je to tihi ilustrator, uvijek s bilježnicom u ruci, stvarajući svjetove punih fantastičnih bića.

He was a quiet illustrator, always with a notebook in hand, creating worlds full of fantastic creatures.

Ali danas je nešto bilo drugačije.

But today, something was different.

Pripremao se za večerašnji natjecateljski izazov – kostimografski natjecanje za Noć vještica u kafiću na Ilici.

He was preparing for this evening's competitive challenge – a costume contest for Halloween at the café on Ilica.

Ivan je stajao nekoliko koraka ispred ulaza, skrivajući svoj kostim pod dugačkim kaputom.

Ivan stood a few steps in front of the entrance, hiding his costume under a long coat.

On je maštao o pobjedi koja bi mu donijela priznanje i potaknula ga na još smjelije stvaranje.

He dreamed of winning, which would bring him recognition and encourage him to create even more boldly.

No, u srcu ga je pritiskala snažna nesigurnost, pojačana konkurencijom poput Petre, talentirane dizajnerice čiji su kostimi uvijek plijenili pažnju.

Yet in his heart, a strong insecurity pressed him, heightened by the competition like Petra, a talented designer whose costumes always captured attention.

Dok je Ivan oklijevao, pojavio se Luka, njegov prijatelj iz djetinjstva, s riječima koje je Ivan duboko cijenio.

As Ivan hesitated, Luka, his childhood friend, appeared with words that Ivan deeply valued.

“Pokaži ono što voliš,” rekao je Luka sa smiješkom, gledajući Ivana prijateljski i bodreći ga svojom sigurnom prisutnošću.

"Show what you love," said Luka with a smile, looking at Ivan with a friendly and supportive presence.

Ivan je duboko uzdahnuo i napravio korak naprijed.

Ivan took a deep breath and stepped forward.

Kafić je bio ispunjen smijehom i šapatima, prostor ukrašen bundevičastim svjetiljkama i umjetnim paukovim mrežama.

The café was filled with laughter and whispers, the space adorned with pumpkin-shaped lanterns and artificial spider webs.

Na središnjem dijelu prostorije bila je mala pozornica, gdje su se natjecatelji redali i pozdravljali gledatelje.

In the center of the room was a small stage where participants lined up and greeted the audience.

Kad je došao red na Ivana, njegovo srce ubrzano je tuklo.

When it was Ivan's turn, his heart raced.

S trakom bubnja, Ivan je polako otvorio svoj kaput, razotkrivajući kostim inspiriran vlastitim crtežima – neobično stvorenje s krilima od tkanine koja su jedva jedvice prekrivala njegove ruke i glavom prekrivenom maskom koja je nalikovala životinji iz bajke.

With the beat of a drum, Ivan slowly opened his coat, revealing a costume inspired by his own drawings – an unusual creature with wings made of fabric that barely covered his arms, and a head adorned with a mask resembling an animal from a fairy tale.

Tišina.

Silence.

Zatim nagli pljesak koji je raspršio njegov strah.

Then a sudden applause that dispelled his fear.

Publika je bila oduševljena, priznavajući njegov trud i kreativnost.

The audience was delighted, acknowledging his effort and creativity.

Čak je i Petra pljeskala najvećim osmijehom, pokazujući Ivanu iskreno divljenje.

Even Petra clapped with the biggest smile, showing Ivan genuine admiration.

Na kraju večeri, Ivan nije samo pobijedio u natjecanju.

By the end of the evening, Ivan not only won the contest.

On je pobijedio strah i sumnju u sebe.

He overcame his fear and self-doubt.

Zahvaljujući podršci, hrabrio se dijeliti svoj svijet s drugima.

Thanks to support, he encouraged himself to share his world with others.

Osjećao se slobodnijim, sigurnijim u svoje sposobnosti i odlučnim da nastavi dalje, ostavljajući iza sebe sjeme straha koje je nekoć stezalo njegovo srce.

He felt freer, more confident in his abilities, and determined to continue, leaving behind the seeds of fear that once gripped his heart.

Ta noć na Ilici postala je početak njegovog novog života, u kojem je umjetnost bila slobodan izraz, a ne skriveni tajni svijet.

That night on Ilica became the beginning of his new life, where art was a free expression, not a hidden secret world.

Svjetlo je polako gasnulo, dok su čarobne noćne boje jeseni nježno grlile njegovu dušu.

The light slowly dimmed as the magical night colors of autumn gently embraced his soul.