Not My Problem

As Henry immersed himself in the music streaming through his earphones, he found himself unexpectedly swept back into the currents of his past. Despite his efforts to bury memories beneath the distractions of the present, they resurfaced with an insistent persistence, threading through his consciousness like unruly vines. Lost in the labyrinth of his thoughts, he barely registered the world outside the confines of the taxi. 

Suddenly, the symphony of his introspection was shattered by a jarring screech, the unmistakable sound of rubber meeting pavement in a violent embrace. Oblivious to the auditory assault, Henry remained cocooned in his mental reverie. Then, with an abruptness that tore him from his musings, the taxi lurched to an unexpected halt. Caught off guard by the sudden halt of the car, Henry found himself utterly unprepared for the jolt that followed. He lurched forward, the inertia propelling him towards the front seat with a forceful impact that reverberated through his skull. 

As his head collided with the unforgiving surface of the front seat, a sharp pang of pain shot through him, prompting a reflexive groan of discomfort. With a wince, he turned towards the driver, his hand instinctively reaching to soothe the throbbing ache in his head. 

"Mister, please be more careful before you stop so suddenly," Henry implored, his voice tinged with irritation as he rubbed his tender scalp. 

The driver, his expression a mix of contrition and explanation, offered his apologies. "I'm truly sorry, Sir," he began, his tone earnest. "It wasn't my fault. The car in front of me came to an abrupt halt, forcing me to stop suddenly to avoid a collision. I had no choice in the matter." 

Once Henry had steadied himself on the seat, he pressed the driver for answers. "What's going on up ahead?" he inquired, his concern evident in his voice. 

The driver, still visibly apologetic, shook his head. "I'm not sure, Sir. It might be an accident or some other kind of incident," he speculated. "You wait in the car, and I'll go check it out." 

Still nursing his sore head, Henry shook his head in refusal. "No, I'll come with you," he insisted, determined to see the situation for himself. 

Without objection from the driver, Henry and the driver exited the car, stepping out onto the street to investigate the commotion up ahead. 

After maneuvering past four cars, Henry finally caught sight of the cause behind the abrupt halt. Up ahead, two individuals engaged in a heated argument, flanked by two cars that had collided. Henry instantly deduced that these two were the instigators of the incident. 

Among the disputing pair, one was a man in his mid-20s, his demeanor carrying a hint of uncertainty. In contrast, the other, a man in his mid-40s, exuded an air of confidence and authority that demanded attention. Clad in a meticulously tailored black suit, he epitomized refinement, his broad shoulders and trim physique adding to his commanding presence. A crisp white shirt beneath, paired with impeccably creased black pants, completed his polished ensemble. 

However, it wasn't merely his attire that captured Henry's attention. Adorning his wrist was a luxurious watch, its gleaming metal a testament to his status. His eyes were shielded by equally impressive glasses, adding to his aura of sophistication. Yet, it was the subtle yet undeniable arrogance that truly set him apart, evident in the slight tilt of his chin and the confident way he carried himself. 

In contrast, the younger man appeared more ordinary, his confidence wavering as he engaged in the argument. 

Henry caught wind of the argument unfolding between the two individuals. The man in his 40s vehemently accused the younger man of reckless driving, attributing the collision to his carelessness. However, the younger man adamantly refuted these claims, asserting that the older man's improper lane change had caused the sudden collision, leaving him with no time to react. 

Despite the younger man's efforts to clarify the situation, the older man remained obstinate, refusing to accept any responsibility and insisting on placing blame solely on the younger party. As Henry surveyed the scene, he noticed bystanders beginning to gather, yet none intervened to defuse the escalating tension. 

Recognizing the need for intervention, Henry understood that allowing the dispute to escalate would only prolong the conflict until law enforcement arrived. From the exchange, Henry discerned that the older man bore the greater responsibility for the collision, yet he also displayed the most resistance to reason. 

Henry stood among the onlookers, observing the escalating argument unfolding before him. Like everyone else, he recognized the need for someone to step in and defuse the situation. However, he hesitated to intervene, feeling it wasn't his place to meddle in the affairs of strangers. He wasn't inclined to play the role of a peacemaker, unwilling to insert himself into a dispute that didn't directly involve him. 

As the tension between the two men mounted, the cacophony of honking horns filled the air, signaling the frustration of other motorists caught in the growing traffic jam. Henry could sense the impending chaos and decided it was time to extricate himself from the unfolding drama. He quickly hailed his taxi driver, urging him to depart swiftly and find an alternate route to avoid being ensnared in the gridlock. 

Turning to leave, Henry caught sight of two women seated in the back of the older man's car. Their visibly pregnant bellies offered a clue as to why the older man was so vehement in his accusations against the younger driver. Perhaps his anger stemmed from a desire to protect these women from harm, leading him to lash out at the other party involved in the accident, despite bearing responsibility himself. 

On the other side, Georgie and Daniel emerged from a shop. Shortly after Henry's departure, they wrapped up their breakfast. Daniel was ready to head out after their meal, but Georgie halted him, recalling a sudden need to purchase something and enlisting Daniel's company for the errand. Once Georgie completed his shopping and they exited the store, Daniel couldn't resist his curiosity any longer.

"Hey, Georgie," Daniel inquired, "you never did tell us why you splurged so much on that car. Even though Henry left early and you didn't mention it then, I'm dying to know the reason behind it."

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