Sangho

The rhythm of the music pounded her eardrums, merging into a single vibrating hum with the beating of her heart. She stood at the bar, pretending to study the list of cocktails attentively, but in fact she was watching him. Sanho. She learned his name from one report on street bike racing, and his face was already firmly lodged in her imagination. Tall, with chiseled features and a look that simultaneously read fatigue and disinterest in what was happening around him.

She made up her mind. Grabbing a glass of unfinished cocktail from the bar, she confidently walked towards his table. He was sitting alone, absentmindedly sipping his drink.

• Is it free here? - her voice sounded a little louder than she would have liked, drowned out by the music.

Sanho raised his head, his gaze sliding over her appraisingly, but not rudely. A spark of curiosity barely flickered in his eyes.

• Yes, of course. - he answered, slightly lifting the corner of his lips in a slight grin.

She sat up, trying not to show her excitement. Her heart was pounding wildly, and a multitude of incoherent phrases were spinning in her head.

• It's too noisy here to meet people properly, but I don't think there's a better place for casual meetings. - she said, taking a sip of her cocktail.

Sanho chuckled, looking at her carefully.

• You are right, accidents are sometimes the most interesting. My name is Sankho.

• And me... - she hesitated for a second.