In Such Poor Health I Couldn’t Walk Until a Fellow Passenger Essentially Lifted Me to a Bathroom.
Back when I was my late teens, my regular journey to work meant taking an packed public transport. It was perpetually jammed and would always be standing room only once I stepped aboard.
On one specific day, I started experiencing quite nauseous while the vehicle lurched around every turn. I continuously reassured myself to endure just a little longer until the bus arrived at my destination, at which point I could sprint quickly to the closest public restroom to be sick.
The bus was approaching the street towards the stop when I realised I wasn’t going to make it. Suddenly, it was like a fog descended upon me. My vision turned white and really quiet; as if someone cut the sound. I thought, “I’m going to faint”.
Fortunately, I stood near the front of the bus, allowing me to take several steps to ask the driver and told the operator to open the doors, informing him I needed to vomit. He opened the doors and I stumbled out out onto the street.
I was determined to avoid being sick in view of multiple lanes of cars, so I gathered myself and endeavored to stumble across to the park on the other side, where I believed it would allow me to secretly conceal myself behind a bush to throw up. But then I apparently fainted. I could feel my limbs, but walking was impossible and my vision was blurry, so I began dragging myself toward the grassy area.
“You right, love?”
Right then, someone picked me up. I sensed a strong arm supporting me and a stranger inquired, “Are you okay, dear?” I told this unknown man that I had to to be sick. Therefore, he almost carried me into a nearby building and placed me in the ladies’ toilets. He inquired if I wanted him to remain with me but I refused.
Not long after, I regained my composure sufficiently to sit on the toilet and from the other side of the door came him inquire, “Are you feeling better, dear? Do you need anything?” I could not to stand up at that moment but I did succeed to thank him and after a few more minutes regained the function of my feet. I got myself home and then spent several days getting over which was a nasty tummy bug.
I never saw the stranger’s face – merely his legs and the big metal toolbox he had with him – but he helped me, at a moment I was in my weakest state.
Many times, life can make you guarded, hostile, and combative. His act was the type of kindness that undoes that protective shell. He demonstrated that people’s natural inclination is to be kind, a quality I adore about my fellow humans.
