In Such Poor Health Walking Was Impossible As a Stranger Virtually Carried Me to the Toilets.
During my nineteenth year, my regular journey to work involved an express bus. The vehicle was always crowded and invariably became standing room only by the time I stepped aboard.
On one specific day, I started experiencing terribly ill while the vehicle lurched around each corner. I continuously reassured myself to persevere another few kilometres until the bus arrived at my destination, and then I could sprint quickly to the closest public restroom to vomit.
As we neared the street towards the destination as I realised I was unable to last. All of a sudden, it seemed a fog descended upon me. The world became hazy and muffled; as if someone muted everything. My mind raced, “I will lose consciousness”.
Fortunately, I stood close to the driver of the bus, so I managed a few steps to ask the driver and asked the driver to stop, explaining to him I was going to vomit. He promptly opened the bus doors and I hurriedly stepped onto the sidewalk.
I was resolved to avoid being sick in front of six lanes of traffic, so I gathered myself and endeavored to walk across to the park across the road, thinking I could it would allow me to secretly conceal myself among some shrubs to throw up. However I likely fainted. I was aware of my physical self, yet walking was impossible or see clearly, so I began crawling towards the park.
“Are you okay, dear?”
In that instant, I was lifted up. I felt a strong arm supporting me and a man’s voice asked, “Are you okay, dear?” I managed to tell the mysterious stranger that I had to to get to a bathroom. Thus, he practically carried me into a close-by structure and placed me in the ladies’ toilets. He wanted to know if I wanted him to remain with me but I refused.
A few minutes later, I had recovered enough to sit on the restroom floor and from the other side of the door I heard his voice asking, “Are you OK, love? Is there anything you require?” I could not to stand up right away but I did succeed to say thank you and following a brief period was able to move my limbs. I got myself home and spent several days getting over which was a severe stomach virus.
I never glimpsed that man’s face – only his legs and the big container for tools he held – but he saved me, when I was at my most vulnerable.
Often this world has a way of making you defensive, aggressive and competitive. His was the sort of gesture that undoes that emotional callousness. He served as evidence that humanity’s innate tendency is towards kindness, a quality I adore about humanity.
