I Was So Ill Walking Was Impossible As a Stranger Virtually Carried Me to a Restroom.
At the age of 19 years old, my morning travel meant taking an crowded coach. It was perpetually full and was consistently without any seats when I boarded.
On one specific day, I was feeling incredibly sick while the vehicle swayed around every turn. I kept telling myself to persevere for a few more stops until the bus reached where I needed to get off, at which point I could sprint quickly toward the most convenient public restroom to be sick.
We were coming down the street towards my stop and I realised I was unable to last. All of a sudden, it felt as if a veil came over me. The world became white and really quiet; like someone had cut the sound. I said to myself, “I will lose consciousness”.
Thankfully, I was positioned near the front on the bus, so I managed several steps to ask the driver and requested that the driver to open the doors, telling him I needed to vomit. He promptly opened the bus doors and I hurriedly stepped out onto the street.
My intention was not to vomit before six lanes of traffic, so I gathered myself and started trying to walk toward the green space on the other side, where I thought I’d at least be able to secretly conceal myself behind a bush to throw up. But then I likely lost consciousness. I could feel my limbs, but I couldn’t walk or see clearly, so I began crawling towards the park.
“You right, love?”
In that instant, I got scooped up. There was an arm around my waist and a stranger inquired, “Everything alright, love?” I told this mysterious stranger that I required to vomit. So he virtually supported my weight over to a nearby building and placed me inside the women’s restroom. He asked me if I wanted him to remain with me but I refused.
Not long after, I regained my composure sufficiently to sit on the restroom floor and from outside the door came him inquire, “Are you OK, love? Is there anything you require?” I wasn’t able to get up right away but did manage to say thank you and shortly thereafter was able to move my legs. I got myself home and spent the following days getting over what was later diagnosed as a horrible case of gastroenteritis.
I never glimpsed that man’s face – merely his legs and a large metal toolbox he had with him – but he helped me, at a moment I was at my most vulnerable.
Many times, life can make you guarded, hostile, and combative. His act was the type of kindness that melts away that emotional callousness. He served as evidence that our default setting is to be kind, a quality I adore in other people.
