Quick to say sorry

It was Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

After visiting an open house, I happily got into my car and began to drive home. As I was approaching a small junction, I noticed a small car being driven on a road on my left. Naturally, I expected it to stop at the junction and wait for me to pass first before it moved out. But, unbelievably, the motorist continued to drive out of the junction and straight on a collision course with my car.

I swerved violently to the right. Fortunately, there were no other vehicles behind. The near collision scared me out of my wit. After regaining my composure, I saw red. I gave chase and wanted to honk the driver dead.

Then, I noticed the rogue driver stuck his right hand out of the window and gestured “I’m sorry”. He slowed down and allowed me to overtake him. I gave him my most menacing glare. He was a young Malay guy and with him was another young Malay lad. Both of them made eye contact with me and the driver gestured again: “I’m sorry”.

His readiness to say sorry neutralized my anger. He did the right thing. He knew he was wrong and he was quick to say sorry. That is honourable.