I Was So Ill I Was Unable to Walk As a Stranger Essentially Lifted Me to a Bathroom.
During my 19 years old, my daily commute involved an packed public transport. It was perpetually full and invariably became without any seats once I stepped aboard.
During a certain commute, I began feeling quite nauseous while the vehicle rocked around each corner. I kept telling myself to hold on for a few more stops before the bus got to where I needed to get off, so I could then sprint quickly to the closest washroom to throw up.
As we neared the street towards my stop and I realised I wasn’t going to hold on. All of a sudden, it seemed a fog descended upon me. My vision turned white and really quiet; as if someone muted everything. I said to myself, “I am about to pass out”.
Thankfully, I was positioned near the front on the bus, allowing me to take several steps forward and requested that the driver to open the doors, explaining to him that I was about to get ill. The driver opened the entrance and I hurriedly stepped on to the pavement.
I was resolved to not get sick in front of multiple lanes of cars, so I picked myself up and endeavored to stumble across to the park across the road, where I believed I could at least discreetly hide near some foliage to be sick. But then I must have lost consciousness. I was aware of my limbs, but walking was impossible and my vision was blurry, so I began crawling towards the park.
“You right, love?”
At that moment, I got scooped up. There was an arm around my waist and a man’s voice asked, “Are you okay, dear?” I managed to tell the mysterious stranger that I needed to be sick. Thus, he practically helped me walk into an adjacent building and guided me in the ladies’ toilets. He inquired if I wanted him to remain with me but I said no.
After a short while, I regained my composure enough to sit on the restroom floor when from beyond the door I heard him inquire, “Are you feeling better, dear? Can I get you something?” I wasn’t able to stand up just then but I was able to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes was able to move my legs. I got myself home and spent several days recovering from what was later diagnosed as a horrible case of gastroenteritis.
I never glimpsed the stranger’s face – merely his legs and the big metal toolbox he had with him – but he saved me, at a moment I was completely helpless.
Often this world tends to make people self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. His act was the type of kindness that undoes that protective shell. He was proof that people’s natural inclination leans toward compassion, a trait I cherish about my fellow humans.
