In Such Poor Health Walking Was Impossible When a Man Practically Supported Me to a Bathroom.
At the age of nineteenth year, my daily commute involved an crowded coach. The vehicle was always full and was consistently standing room only by the time I stepped aboard.
During a certain commute, I began feeling incredibly sick while the vehicle lurched around every turn. I kept telling myself to hold on for a few more stops until the bus reached my stop, at which point I could make a mad dash to the closest public toilet to throw up.
The bus was approaching the avenue close to my stop and I realised I was unable to hold on. Suddenly, it seemed a fog descended upon me. My vision turned hazy and muffled; similar to when one muted everything. I said to myself, “I’m going to faint”.
Luckily I was near the front on the bus, allowing me to take several steps toward the driver and requested that the driver to stop, explaining to him I needed to vomit. He opened the doors and I weakly exited onto the sidewalk.
My intention was not to vomit before a busy multi-lane road, so I gathered myself and started trying to walk toward the green space across the road, thinking I could I could at least secretly conceal myself behind a bush to be sick. However I must have lost consciousness. I was aware of my physical self, yet I couldn’t walk and my vision was blurry, so I began crawling towards the grassy area.
“Are you okay, dear?”
In that instant, someone picked me up. There was someone holding me and heard a man say, “You right, love?” I told this unknown man that I required to get to a bathroom. Thus, he practically helped me walk down into a close-by structure and guided me into the female bathroom. He wanted to know if I wanted him to wait for me but I declined.
After a short while, I felt better enough to sit on the restroom floor and from the other side of the door I heard him inquire, “Do you need anything, love? Is there anything you require?” I could not to get up right away but did manage to thank him and after a few more minutes regained the function of my limbs. I made my way home and spent the next few days recovering from what turned out to be a severe stomach virus.
I never glimpsed the stranger’s face – just his lower half along with a sizable container for tools he had with him – but he saved me, when I was at my most vulnerable.
Many times, life can make you defensive, aggressive and competitive. His act was the type of kindness that melts away that emotional callousness. He was proof that our default setting is towards kindness, something I love about my fellow humans.