In Such Poor Health I Couldn’t Walk As a Stranger Virtually Carried Me to a Restroom.

During my my late teens, my regular journey to work was on an express bus. The vehicle was always crowded and was consistently standing room only when I boarded.

During a certain commute, I was feeling quite nauseous when the coach lurched around each corner. I kept telling myself to persevere for a few more stops before the bus arrived at where I needed to get off, and then I could rush hurriedly for the nearest public toilet to vomit.

The bus was approaching the avenue close to the destination as it dawned on me I would not be to make it. In an instant, it felt as if a fog descended upon me. The world became blank and silent; like someone had turned off the audio. I said to myself, “I’m going to faint”.

Fortunately, I stood near the front of the bus, allowing me to take a few steps to ask the driver and asked the driver to stop, telling him I needed to vomit. The driver opened the entrance and I stumbled out out onto the street.

I was determined to not get sick in front of multiple lanes of cars, so I picked myself up and started trying to make my way across to the park on the other side, where I believed I could at least discreetly hide near some foliage to vomit. Yet I apparently blacked out. I was aware of my body but I was unable to walk or see properly, so I began inching my way to the park.

“Everything alright, love?”

In that instant, I got scooped up. I sensed a strong arm supporting me and heard a man say, “Everything alright, love?” I explained to this kind passerby that I had to to be sick. So he virtually helped me walk down into a nearby building and guided me in the ladies’ toilets. He inquired if I needed him to stay with me but I declined.

Not long after, I felt better to the point of sitting on the toilet and from outside the stall I heard his voice asking, “Are you feeling better, dear? Do you need anything?” I wasn’t able to get up right away but I was able to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes was able to move my limbs. I made my way home passing the following days recovering from which was a severe stomach virus.

I never saw that man’s face – merely his legs along with a sizable metal toolbox he held – yet he rescued me, when I was completely helpless.

Many times, life has a way of making you self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. His was the sort of gesture that melts away that emotional callousness. He served as evidence that humanity’s innate tendency is towards kindness, a quality I adore about my fellow humans.