The Sesame Ball

I saw the old gentleman from the corner of my eye. He was tall with grey hair. Must've been 65 years old. He was standing outside the Kopitiam, under a tree, eating a sesame ball (A sesame ball is a Chinese pastry filled with black bean paste and sesame seeds on the outside). I was sitting at a table, enjoying my kopi and watching people go by. He looked at Polka and smiled to himself. I finished my coffee and started on our usual route to Fort Canning. The gentleman was still standing under the tree. As we passed him, he suddenly called out, 'Hello Doggie'. In true Polka style, she responded by jumping on the gentleman and wagging her tail. The startled man stepped back while I quickly pulled Polka away saying, 'Naughty Polka! Bad Polka!'. With an apologetic smile, I hurriedly walked away..

After a week or so, as I passed by Kopitiam, Polka started wagging her tail at a gentleman sitting on the steps. He said 'Hello'. I realized it was the same one with the sesame ball. I smiled, 'She remembers you!' He was visibly pleased.  After the customary 'how are you' and 'good byes', Polka and I continued on our walk.

I'd completely forgotten about him - till recently. I saw him standing next to the lawn opposite our apartment.  He was thrilled to see Polka and vice-versa. Then he got chatting, 'I saw a similar dog in Israel. If you don't mind can I give a treat to your dog ?'  I was hesitant to agree, 'Well.. Umm.. she has to go poo first .. maybe some other time'.  He responded, 'Ok!  Lets go to the kopitiam then!'

I was still trying to figure out if he hadn't heard me or had decided to simply ignore me when hubby arrived.
                                                               
Hubby in a low voice: Whats going on?
Me: He wants to give a treat to Polka.
Hubby: Why?
Me: Well... he is Polka's friend.
Hubby:  ???
Me: Umm.. Polka met him couple of times before this and he likes her.. I guess..
Hubby: So where's the treat?
Me: He wants us to go to the Kopitiam with him!
Hubby: Why do strange things happen only to you?

I handed Polka to hubby with a smile. So the gentleman, Polka, hubby and me headed to the Kopitiam. 

Me: So how long have you lived in Singapore and Israel?
Gentleman:  Am actually half Israeli and half Singaporean. I've lived mostly in Singapore. I went for a couple of weddings to Israel.
Hubby: So you stay close by?
Gentleman:  Farther down - but I come here to visit the temple.
Gentleman: Would you guys like a drink?
Hubby and me in unison: No thank you. Some other time!
Hubby: So you must be close to the other food mall. We used to stay on that street earlier.
Gentleman: Yes. I stay in a landed property there. It's the house for the aged and poor!

Hubby and I go silent. We exchange glances. I can see the accusing look - How can you agree to this? He must be already low on cash!

Upon reaching kopitiam, the gentleman goes inside to get the treat. We stay out with Polka and I try hard to avoid hubby's piercing eyes. Luckily, two girls come by and start playing with Polka and provide the needed distraction. Soon the gentleman returns, hands me a brown bag,  'Its hot now. Give it to her when it cools down. Bbye.'
I turn back to look at him, he smiles, waves his hand and vanishes into the crowd.

We continue walking with Polka on the crowded street and eventually reach the park. We sit down and open the brown bag. 

It's a sesame ball!