Ziemas diena bija auksta, un Artim drebēja rokas no salam, kad viņš soļoja pa ielu.

The winter day was cold, and Artis' hands were trembling from the frost as he walked down the street.

Viņš atradās pie bunkura ieejas.

He found himself at the entrance of a bunker.

Tas sen kā nebija bijis tikai aizsardzības vieta.

Long ago, it had stopped being just a place of refuge.

Tagad tā bija dāvanu veikals.

Now, it was a gift shop.

Šajās sienās viņš cerēja atrast kaut ko īpašu Valentīndienai Mārai.

Within these walls, he hoped to find something special for Valentine's Day for Māra.

Iekšā bija silti.

Inside, it was warm.

Stiprās betona sienas un zemās griesti radīja mājīgu gaisotni.

The strong concrete walls and low ceilings created a cozy atmosphere.

Pavisam neparasti bija redzēt šeit gaišas spuldzes, kas metēja siltu gaismu pār bagātīgām plauktiem.

It was quite unusual to see bright lights here, casting a warm glow over the abundant shelves.

Artis soļoja garām dažādiem suvenīriem, krūzēm un niekiem, noskaidrodams detaļas, kas Mārai varētu patikt.

Artis walked past various souvenirs, mugs, and trinkets, discerning details that Māra might like.

Viņam bija jādara tas īstais solis.

He had to make the right move.

Katrs solis Artim bija izaicinājums.

Every step was a challenge for Artis.

Viņš nekad īsti nebija runājis ar Māru ārpus darba pienākumiem.

He had never really talked to Māra outside of work duties.

Bet šodien viņš bija nolēmis kaut ko mainīt.

But today, he had decided to change something.

Viņam bija jāpārvar sava nedrošība.

He had to overcome his insecurity.

Viņš caurskatīja krāsainās burciņas, kurās gerdzēja sveces ar dažādiem aromātiem.

He perused the colorful jars where candles with different scents gleamed.

Tad viņa skatiens apstājās pie mīksta, roku darina krājuma ar vilnas šalli, ko bija izgatavojusi vietējā amatniece.

Then his gaze stopped at a soft, handmade wool scarf crafted by a local artisan.

Artis rūpīgi izvēlējās šalli - smalko, pelēko ar zilu dūrieniem.

Artis carefully chose the scarf – a delicate gray with blue stitches.

Tā bija skaista.

It was beautiful.

Un šķita, ka tā bija tieši viņu - kaut kas ļoti personisks.

And it seemed just right for them – something very personal.

Viņš uzdrošinājās sajust nelielu pārliecību, jo viņš zināja, ka Mārai patīk vilnus darbi.

He dared to feel a bit of confidence because he knew that Māra liked woolen items.

Pēkšņi Artis dzirdēja pazīstamu balsi.

Suddenly, Artis heard a familiar voice.

Viņa sirds sāka straujāk sisties.

His heart began to beat faster.

Pagāja mirklis, un Māra parādījās aiz plaukta.

A moment passed, and Māra appeared from behind a shelf.

Viņa šķita pārsteigta, ieraugot Arti.

She seemed surprised to see Artis.

Tālāko Artis knapi saprata.

He could barely understand the rest.

Likās, ka viņa saoda am aroma no sveces.

It seemed she had sensed the aroma from the candle.

“Māra! Sveiki,” pasmaidīja Artis, cenšoties izlikties pārliecināts.

"Māra! Hello," Artis smiled, trying to appear confident.

“Es... es domāju, vai man izdotos kaut kas skaists priekš tevis.”

"I... I was wondering if I could find something beautiful for you."

Māra pacēla uzaci un lēnām piegāja tuvāk.

Māra raised an eyebrow and slowly came closer.

Artis jutās kā akmenī notverts.

Artis felt as if he were caught in stone.

Viņš pasniedza viņai šalli ar nedrošu izteiksmi.

He handed her the scarf with an unsure expression.

Māra paņēma šalli maigām, siltām rokām.

Māra took the scarf with gentle, warm hands.

Viņas acīs parādījās pārsteigums.

Surprise appeared in her eyes.

“Paldies, Artis,” Māra noteica.

"Thank you, Artis," Māra said.

“Tas ir skaisti.”

"It's beautiful."

Tad Māra nenobijās un uzlika šalli ap savu kaklu.

Then Māra bravely draped the scarf around her neck.

“Es... arī vienmēr esmu tevi vēlējusies tuvāk iepazīt,” Māra teju nedroši atklāja.

"I... too have always wanted to get to know you better," Māra almost revealed shyly.

Artim kļuva siltāk ap sirdi.

Artis's heart felt warmer.

Viņš negaidīja šādus vārdus.

He did not expect such words.

Tomēr viņš noliecās tuvu pie Māras un saņēma viņas roku.

However, he leaned close to Māra and took her hand.

Viņa smaids bija visgodīgākais, kādu viņa jebkad bija redzējusi.

His smile was the most genuine she had ever seen.

Un tā viņi stāvēja tur - telpā, kur akmens siena un dāvanu plaukti uliņoja viņus; divi cilvēki, kas sāka jaunu lappusi savā dzīvē.

And so they stood there – in a room where stone walls and gift shelves encircled them; two people starting a new chapter in their lives.

Viņiem bija tieši tas, kas vajadzīgs - Laiks un drosme, lai atklāti sāktu ceļu viens pie otra.

They had exactly what they needed – time and courage to openly begin a journey toward one another.