In Such Poor Health Walking Was Impossible As a Stranger Practically Supported Me to a Bathroom.
Back when I was nineteenth year, my daily commute involved an express bus. The vehicle was always crowded and invariably became standing room only by the time I got on.
One particular morning, I started experiencing terribly ill when the coach swayed around the bends. I kept telling myself to endure for a few more stops so the bus could reached my stop, at which point I could sprint quickly for the nearest washroom to throw up.
As we neared the street towards the destination as I realised I was unable to last. All of a sudden, it was like a fog descended upon me. Everything just went white and really quiet; like someone had turned off the audio. I said to myself, “I will lose consciousness”.
Thankfully, I was positioned toward the front inside the vehicle, allowing me to take a couple of steps toward the driver and asked the driver to open the doors, telling him that I was about to vomit. He promptly opened the bus doors and I hurriedly stepped onto the sidewalk.
I was determined not to vomit in front of a busy multi-lane road, so I forced myself up and began attempting to make my way to the park opposite the street, where I thought it would allow me to discreetly hide behind a bush to be sick. Yet I must have blacked out. I could feel my physical self, yet walking was impossible or see properly, so I started dragging myself toward my intended destination.
“Everything alright, love?”
Right then, I was lifted up. I felt a strong arm supporting me and a man’s voice asked, “You right, love?” I managed to tell the mysterious stranger that I needed to get to a bathroom. Therefore, he almost supported my weight down into a nearby building and placed me inside the women’s restroom. He inquired if I wanted him to stay with me but I said no.
Not long after, I had recovered sufficiently to sit down and from the other side of the door I heard his voice asking, “Are you OK, love? Is there anything you require?” I was incapable to stand up just then but I was able to thank him and following a brief period recovered the use of my feet. I made my way home passing several days getting over what was later diagnosed as a nasty tummy bug.
I did not see his features – merely his legs along with a sizable container for tools he was carrying – yet he rescued me, during a time when I was in my weakest state.
Many times, life 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 our default setting is to be kind, something I love in other people.