In Such Poor Health Walking Was Impossible Until a Fellow Passenger Practically Supported Me to a Bathroom.
At the age of 19 years old, my regular journey to work meant taking an crowded coach. The vehicle was always crowded and was consistently completely full by the time I boarded.
During a certain commute, I was feeling quite nauseous while the vehicle swayed around the bends. I kept telling myself to hold on for a few more stops before the bus got to my stop, and then I could sprint quickly for the nearest public restroom to be sick.
As we neared the street towards the destination as it dawned on me I would not be to last. Suddenly, it felt as if a fog descended upon me. Everything just went white and really quiet; similar to when one cut the sound. I said to myself, “I am about to pass out”.
Luckily I was near the front inside the vehicle, allowing me to take a couple of steps forward and asked the driver to pull over, telling him I needed to be sick. The driver opened the bus doors and I hurriedly stepped onto the sidewalk.
I was resolved to avoid being sick before a busy multi-lane road, so I picked myself up and endeavored to stumble toward the green space opposite the street, where I believed it would allow me to find some privacy among some shrubs to throw up. However I must have fainted. I was aware of my limbs, but walking was impossible and my vision was blurry, so I started crawling towards my intended destination.
“Are you okay, dear?”
Right then, I got scooped up. There was a strong arm supporting me and a man’s voice asked, “Everything alright, love?” I told this kind passerby that I required 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 wanted to know if I needed him to remain with me but I refused.
Not long after, I felt better to the point of sitting on the toilet and from outside the door I heard him inquire, “Are you OK, love? Is there anything you require?” I was incapable to get up at that moment but I did succeed to express my gratitude and following a brief period was able to move my limbs. I returned home and spent the following days recovering from what was later diagnosed as a horrible case of gastroenteritis.
I did not see the stranger’s face – merely his legs along with a sizable metal toolbox he was carrying – but he saved me, when I was in my weakest state.
Often this world tends to make people guarded, hostile, and combative. His act was the type of kindness that reverses that protective shell. He served as evidence that our default setting leans toward compassion, a trait I cherish about humanity.
