In Such Poor Health I Couldn’t Walk As a Stranger Virtually Carried Me to a Restroom.

Back when I was 19 years old, my daily commute meant taking an packed public transport. The vehicle was always jammed and invariably became standing room only once I boarded.

One particular morning, I began feeling quite nauseous when the coach rocked around the bends. I repeatedly told myself to persevere just a little longer before the bus reached my stop, and then I could make a mad dash for the nearest washroom to throw up.

The bus was approaching the avenue close to the destination as I understood I was unable to hold on. All of a sudden, it was like a fog descended upon me. Everything just went blank and silent; similar to when one muted everything. I thought, “I am about to pass out”.

Fortunately, I stood toward the front inside the vehicle, allowing me to take a few steps toward the driver and requested that the driver to pull over, explaining to him I needed to vomit. He opened the entrance and I hurriedly stepped on to the pavement.

I was resolved to avoid being sick before multiple lanes of cars, so I forced myself up and began attempting to stumble to the park opposite the street, where I believed it would allow me to secretly conceal myself near some foliage to throw up. However I must have fainted. I sensed my limbs, but I was unable to walk or see properly, so I started dragging myself toward the grassy area.

“You right, love?”

At that moment, I was lifted up. I felt someone holding me and a man’s voice asked, “You right, love?” I explained to this unknown man that I had to to vomit. So he virtually supported my weight down into a nearby building and put me in the ladies’ toilets. He inquired if I wanted him to remain with me but I refused.

A few minutes later, I regained my composure to the point of sitting on the toilet and from outside the door I heard him ask, “Are you feeling better, dear? Is there anything you require?” I wasn’t able to rise just then but did manage to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes regained the function of my feet. I got myself home and spent the next few days recovering from what turned out to be a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I never glimpsed his features – only his legs and the big steelwork tools container he was carrying – but he saved me, at a moment I was in my weakest state.

Many times, life tends to make people guarded, hostile, and combative. His was the sort of gesture that melts away that hardening of the heart. He was proof that our default setting is to be kind, something I love about my fellow humans.