Fluent Fiction - Croatian: Karlo's Autumn Decision: A Bold Leap Beyond Dubrovnik
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Story Transcript:

Hr: Karlo je stajao ispred velike obiteljske kuće u Dubrovniku.
En: Karlo stood in front of the large family house in Dubrovnik.

Hr: Jesen je bila u punom sjaju, lišće u vrtu bojalo se u crveno i zlatno.
En: Autumn was in full splendor, with leaves in the garden turning red and golden.

Hr: Ulica je mirisala na more i sol.
En: The street smelled of the sea and salt.

Hr: Njegovo srce tuklo je ubrzano, popraćeno mješavinom uzbuđenja i straha.
En: His heart was beating fast, accompanied by a mix of excitement and fear.

Hr: Vratio se kući na obiteljsko okupljanje, kao i svake jeseni, ali ove je godine bilo drugačije.
En: He had returned home for a family gathering, as he did every autumn, but this year was different.

Hr: Nosio je tajnu koja bi mogla promijeniti sve.
En: He carried a secret that could change everything.

Hr: Kuća na brežuljku gledala je na stari grad.
En: The house on the hill overlooked the old town.

Hr: Bilo je nešto umirujuće u tom pogledu, no Karlo nije mogao pronaći mir u sebi.
En: There was something calming in that view, but Karlo could not find peace within himself.

Hr: Prošlo je nekoliko mjeseci otkad je napustio obalu i preselio se u Zagreb zbog novog posla.
En: It had been a few months since he left the coast and moved to Zagreb for a new job.

Hr: Sada se suočavao s velikom životnom odlukom – preseliti se u inozemstvo.
En: Now, he faced a major life decision – moving abroad.

Hr: Njegova obitelj imala je visoka očekivanja, osobito majka Ana, koja je uvijek sanjala da će njezina djeca ostati blizu.
En: His family had high expectations, especially his mother Ana, who always dreamed that her children would stay close.

Hr: Unutra, Maja je postavljala stol.
En: Inside, Maja was setting the table.

Hr: Toplina doma ispunila je prostrane sobe, a zrak je mirisao na pršut i sir.
En: The warmth of home filled the spacious rooms, and the air smelled of prosciutto and cheese.

Hr: Karlo je duboko udahnuo i ušao.
En: Karlo took a deep breath and entered.

Hr: Maja ga je odmah primijetila i pružila mu osjetljivu podršku.
En: Maja noticed him immediately and offered him gentle support.

Hr: "Zdravo, braco! Udahni, bit će sve u redu", rekla je s osmijehom.
En: "Hello, brother! Breathe, everything will be okay," she said with a smile.

Hr: Ana se pojavila iz kuhinje, obrisala je ruke na pregaču i zagrlila sina.
En: Ana appeared from the kitchen, wiped her hands on her apron, and hugged her son.

Hr: "Uvijek mi je drago vidjeti te ovdje, Karlo", rekla je toplo.
En: "I'm always happy to see you here, Karlo," she said warmly.

Hr: Karlo je osjetio knedlu u grlu. Njegova odluka mogla bi je razočarati.
En: Karlo felt a lump in his throat. His decision could disappoint her.

Hr: Za vrijeme večere, napetost je rasla kako su razgovarali o svakodnevnim stvarima.
En: During dinner, the tension rose as they talked about everyday things.

Hr: Srdačni smijeh ispunjavao je kuhinju, ali Karlo je bio odsutan, izgubljen u mislima.
En: Warm laughter filled the kitchen, but Karlo was absent, lost in thought.

Hr: Napokon, Maja ga je pogledala i nježno mu kimnula. Bio je to njegov znak.
En: Finally, Maja looked at him and nodded gently. It was his cue.

Hr: Karlo je spustio vilicu i pogledao u obitelj.
En: Karlo set down his fork and looked at the family.

Hr: "Imam nešto važno za reći", počeo je polako.
En: "I have something important to say," he began slowly.

Hr: "Razmišljam o selidbi u inozemstvo. Dobili su mi ponudu za posao u Londonu."
En: "I'm thinking about moving abroad. I've received a job offer in London."

Hr: Nastala je tišina.
En: Silence followed.

Hr: Ana je ostavila čašu vina na stol.
En: Ana put her glass of wine down on the table.

Hr: "London? Karlo, što to znači za nas? Tako daleko...," prošaptala je, boreći se s emocijama.
En: "London? Karlo, what does this mean for us? So far away..., " she whispered, struggling with emotions.

Hr: Maja je položila ruku na Aninu.
En: Maja placed a hand on Ana's.

Hr: "Mama, ovo je prilika koju ne smije propustiti. Uvijek smo govorili da želimo najbolje za Karla."
En: "Mama, this is an opportunity he shouldn't miss. We've always said we want the best for Karlo."

Hr: Ana je uzdahnula, a suze su joj lagano navirale.
En: Ana sighed, tears gently welling in her eyes.

Hr: "Samo želim da bude sretan i siguran. To je sve."
En: "I just want him to be happy and safe. That's all."

Hr: Karlo je pogledao majku s novim razumijevanjem.
En: Karlo looked at his mother with newfound understanding.

Hr: "Znam, mama. I vjerujem da ću biti sretan tamo, ali vaša podrška mi znači sve."
En: "I know, mom. And I believe I'll be happy there, but your support means everything to me."

Hr: Nakon nekoliko trenutaka šutnje, Ana se uspravila i nježno se nasmiješila.
En: After a few moments of silence, Ana stood up straight and smiled gently.

Hr: "Uvijek ću te podržavati, Karlo. Samo budi siguran da znaš što radiš."
En: "I will always support you, Karlo. Just make sure you know what you're doing."

Hr: Te večeri, dok je povjetarac nosio miris mora kroz vrt, Karlo je shvatio da njegova obitelj može izdržati promjene.
En: That evening, as the breeze carried the scent of the sea through the garden, Karlo realized that his family could endure the changes.

Hr: Njihova ljubav bila je stalna, bez obzira gdje je bio.
En: Their love was constant, no matter where he was.

Hr: Jesen u Dubrovniku možda će ga jednog dana voditi natrag kući, ali sada je bio spreman za svoju novu avanturu.
En: Autumn in Dubrovnik might one day lead him back home, but now he was ready for his new adventure.


Vocabulary Words:

• stood: stajao
• splendor: sjaju
• gathering: okupljanje
• secret: tajnu
• overlooked: gledala
• calming: umirujuće
• decision: odlukom
• abroad: inozemstvo
• expectations: očekivanja
• support: podršku
• warmth: toplina
• cheese: sir
• lump: knedlu
• tension: napetost
• laughter: smijeh
• cue: znak
• important: važno
• opportunity: prilika
• whispered: prošaptala
• struggling: boreći
• tears: suze
• newfound: novim
• straight: uspravila
• smiled: nasmiješila
• breeze: povjetarac
• realized: shvatio
• endure: izdržati
• constant: stalna
• autumn: jesen
• adventure: avanturu