In Such Poor Health I Couldn’t Walk As a Stranger Essentially Lifted Me to the Toilets.
During my my late teens, my morning travel meant taking an express bus. The vehicle was always crowded and invariably became completely full once I boarded.
On one specific day, I started experiencing terribly ill while the vehicle lurched around each corner. I repeatedly told myself to endure for a few more stops so the bus could arrived at where I needed to get off, so I could then rush hurriedly to the closest public toilet to be sick.
The bus was approaching the street towards the stop when I understood I would not be to hold on. Suddenly, it felt as if a curtain fell over me. The world became hazy and muffled; similar to when one turned off the audio. I thought, “I will lose consciousness”.
Luckily I was close to the driver inside the vehicle, so I managed a few steps toward the driver and requested that the driver to stop, explaining to him that I was about to be sick. He opened the entrance and I weakly exited onto the sidewalk.
I was determined not to vomit in front of six lanes of traffic, so I gathered myself and endeavored to make my way across to the park opposite the street, thinking I could I could at least discreetly hide among some shrubs to vomit. However I must have blacked out. I could feel my limbs, but I was unable to walk and my vision was blurry, so I started inching my way to the grassy area.
“You right, love?”
Right then, I was lifted up. I felt a strong arm supporting me and a stranger inquired, “Everything alright, love?” I explained to this unknown man that I required to be sick. Thus, he practically helped me walk down into a close-by structure and guided me inside the women’s restroom. He inquired whether I required him to stay with me but I refused.
A few minutes later, I had recovered to the point of sitting down when from beyond the door I heard him ask, “Are you OK, love? Can I get you something?” I wasn’t able to stand up at that moment but did manage to say thank you and after a few more minutes regained the function of my legs. I got myself home and spent the next few days getting over what was later diagnosed as a severe stomach virus.
I never glimpsed his features – just his lower half and a large steelwork tools container he was carrying – but he saved me, when I was in my weakest state.
Often this world has a way of making you guarded, hostile, and combative. His was the sort of gesture that melts away that emotional callousness. He served as evidence that our default setting is to be kind, something I love about humanity.
