Zrak je bio hladan, a vjetar nosio miris zime kroz ulice Zagreba.

The air was cold, and the wind carried the scent of winter through the streets of Zagreb.

Luka, mlad i pun entuzijazma, prvi put je sudjelovao u nacionalnim izborima.

Luka, young and full of enthusiasm, participated in the national elections for the first time.

Njegova sestra Ana hodala je uz njega, ruku omotanih oko tijela da se zaštiti od hladnoće.

His sister Ana walked beside him, her arms wrapped around her body to protect against the cold.

Bila je neraspoložena, ne zbog vremena, već zbog godine politike.

She was in a bad mood, not because of the weather, but because of the year in politics.

"Zašto si toliko uzbuđen?" upita ga Ana dok su stigli pred školsku dvoranu pretvorenu u biračko mjesto.

"Why are you so excited?" Ana asked him as they arrived at the school hall turned polling station.

"Još jedan glas u masi."

"Just another voice in the crowd."

"Svaki glas je važan," odgovori Luka odlučno.

"Every voice is important," Luka replied decisively.

"Možda baš moj može donijeti promjenu."

"Maybe mine can make a difference."

Dok su ulazili unutra, dočeka ih buka i gužva.

As they entered inside, they were met by noise and crowds.

Dvorana je bila prepuna ljudi u debelim kaputima.

The hall was packed with people in thick coats.

Redovi su se činili beskrajnima.

The lines seemed endless.

Marta, starija žena s osmijehom koji ulijeva povjerenje, bila je zadužena za red.

Marta, an older woman with a smile that inspired trust, was in charge of the line.

Godinama je bila promatračica na izborima i nikada nije izgubila vjeru u demokraciju.

She had been an election observer for years and had never lost faith in democracy.

"Luka, sve je to dio procesa," reče Marta kad je primijetila njegovu nervozu zbog duge čekaonice.

"Luka, it's all part of the process," said Marta when she noticed his nervousness about the long wait.

"Sjeti se, svaka osoba ovdje želi isto što i ti – dati svoj glas."

"Remember, everyone here wants the same thing as you—to cast their vote."

Luka se nervozno pomaknuo s noge na nogu.

Luka shifted nervously from foot to foot.

Vrijeme prolazilo, a sunce počelo zalaziti.

Time passed, and the sun began to set.

Čulo se stenjanje i uzdasi oko njega dok su ljudi nestrpljivo čekali.

Moans and sighs could be heard around him as people waited impatiently.

Ana je već počela gubiti strpljenje.

Ana was already losing her patience.

"Možda bismo trebali otići," predložila je.

"Maybe we should leave," she suggested.

"Ovako ćemo cijeli dan provesti ovdje."

"We'll spend the whole day here."

"No, ne mogu odustati sada," Luka je odgovorio, iako je već osjećao sumnju.

"But I can't give up now," Luka answered, even though he was already feeling doubt.

Marta mu je pružila hrabri osmijeh, kao da kaže da ga razumije.

Marta gave him an encouraging smile, as if to say she understood.

Napetost se osjećala u zraku dok su se kazaljke na satu pomicale sve bliže zatvaranju glasovanja.

Tension filled the air as the clock moved closer to the closing of the polls.

Ćutjela se tjeskoba.

Anxiety was palpable.

Minute su činile sate.

Minutes felt like hours.

Ali Luka je odlučio ostati.

But Luka decided to stay.

Bio je to trenutak istine.

It was a moment of truth.

Konačno, kad je već pomislio da neće uspjeti, došao je njegov red.

Finally, just when he thought he wouldn't make it, his turn came.

Luka je ušao u glasačku kabinu. Zaokružio je svoj izbor na glasačkom listiću, pažljivo ga složio i ubacio u kutiju.

Luka entered the voting booth, circled his choice on the ballot, carefully folded it, and placed it in the box.

Osjetio je ogromno olakšanje i ponos.

He felt enormous relief and pride.

Izašavši iz dvorane, nasmiješio se Ani.

Exiting the hall, he smiled at Ana.

"Uspio sam," rekao je zadovoljno.

"I did it," he said contentedly.

Vratio se u zimsku noć sa srcem punim nade, shvativši da je svaki glas kap u rijeci promjena.

He returned to the winter night with a heart full of hope, realizing that every vote is a drop in the river of change.

Tog dana, Luka je naučio više od vrijednosti svakog pojedinačnog glasa.

That day, Luka learned more than the value of each individual vote.

Shvatio je suštinu biračkog prava i snagu strpljenja.

He understood the essence of the right to vote and the power of patience.

Držao je do svog uvjerenja da svaki glas može doprineti svijetu za koji se nada da će ga jednog dana vidjeti.

He held on to his belief that every vote can contribute to the world he hopes to see one day.