The First Meeting

I first met Kao at the coffee house. I was having problems with my translation and had given up in disgust. I felt a tap on my shoulder and heard a slight cough. “Excuse me. I noticed you are reading some books from my Old Country.”
Astonished I looked up and there was this wizened old man, stooped with the weight of his life, looking at me with kind eyes. I mumbled a muffled, “Yes, I’m trying to translate some of these passages as part of my homework.” He asked to sit by me. I pulled my book bag off the chair and gestured him to sit. Awkardly he sat and asked if he may look thru them. He sighed, “It has been a long time since I have read these books. They are banned in my country.”
We sat in silence for awhile. I didn’t know what to say or what to do. He just sat there. Finally he sighed and said, “I’m sorry for bothering you. Excuse me please.” So polite. I told him he was no bother, asked him if he would like to borrow one or two of my books. A light came into his eyes and he quietly replied he would be most grateful for the loan.
That was our first meeting. I didn’t know his name though I had often seen him at the coffee house. He was always alone, sat in the same place each time I saw him. I had exchanged nods but this was the first time we talked. I was eager to meet him the next day and ask him about the two books he borrowed. I thought to myself, what a treasure, someone who could help me with the translations. Little did I know my life was changed with this meeting.