In Such Poor Health I Was Unable to Walk As a Stranger Practically Supported Me to a Bathroom.

At the age of nineteenth year, my daily commute was on an packed public transport. It remained crowded and would always be without any seats when I got on.

On one specific day, I started experiencing incredibly sick while the vehicle swayed around each corner. I repeatedly told myself to persevere another few kilometres until the bus arrived at where I needed to get off, at which point I could sprint quickly toward the most convenient public restroom to throw up.

As we neared the road leading to the stop when I understood I would not be to last. Suddenly, it felt as if a curtain fell over me. Everything just went hazy and muffled; similar to when one cut the sound. I thought, “I will lose consciousness”.

Luckily I was near the front of the bus, so I managed a couple of steps toward the driver and told the operator to open the doors, telling him I needed to vomit. The driver opened the bus doors and I hurriedly stepped on to the pavement.

I was determined not to vomit in view of six lanes of traffic, so I picked myself up and began attempting to walk to the park opposite the street, thinking I could I could at least discreetly hide near some foliage to throw up. But then I apparently fainted. I sensed my physical self, yet I was unable to walk or see clearly, so I began inching my way to my intended destination.

“Are you okay, dear?”

At that moment, I was lifted up. I sensed someone holding me and a stranger inquired, “Everything alright, love?” I told this kind passerby that I had to to get to a bathroom. Thus, he practically helped me walk over to a nearby building and put me into the female bathroom. He wanted to know if I needed him to remain with me but I said no.

After a short while, I had recovered to the point of sitting on the toilet when from beyond the stall I heard him inquire, “Are you OK, love? Can I get you something?” I wasn’t able to get up at that moment but did manage to thank him and shortly thereafter was able to move my feet. I made my way home and spent the following days healing from what turned out to be a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I never glimpsed that man’s face – only his legs and a large metal toolbox he had with him – but he helped me, at a moment I was at my most vulnerable.

Many times, life tends to make people guarded, hostile, and combative. His was the sort of gesture that melts away that emotional callousness. He was proof that our default setting is to be kind, something I love in other people.