In Such Poor Health Walking Was Impossible Until a Fellow Passenger Practically Supported Me to the Toilets.

Back when I was nineteenth year, my daily commute involved an crowded coach. The vehicle was always crowded and would always be without any seats once I got on.

During a certain commute, I was feeling quite nauseous as the bus rocked around each corner. I repeatedly told myself to hold on just a little longer until the bus got to where I needed to get off, and then I could make a mad dash to the closest public restroom to be sick.

As we neared the street towards the stop when I understood I would not be to make it. In an instant, it felt as if a curtain fell over me. My vision turned blank and silent; as if someone muted everything. I thought, “I will lose consciousness”.

Luckily I was near the front inside the vehicle, so I took several steps toward the driver and asked the driver to stop, explaining to him that I was about to vomit. He promptly opened the entrance and I hurriedly stepped onto the sidewalk.

I was determined not to vomit in front of six lanes of traffic, so I gathered myself and started trying to walk across to the park on the other side, where I believed it would allow me to discreetly hide near some foliage to throw up. However I must have lost consciousness. I sensed my body but I couldn’t walk and my vision was blurry, leading me to start crawling towards the grassy area.

“You right, love?”

Right then, someone picked me up. I felt someone holding me and a man’s voice asked, “You right, love?” I managed to tell the kind passerby that I needed to be sick. Thus, he practically supported my weight over to a nearby building and guided me inside the women’s restroom. He inquired if I wanted him to remain with me but I declined.

After a short while, I had recovered sufficiently to sit down when from beyond the stall I heard him inquire, “Do you need anything, love? Can I get you something?” I wasn’t able to get up right away but I did succeed to express my gratitude and following a brief period was able to move my limbs. I returned home and spent several days getting over which was a nasty tummy bug.

I never saw the stranger’s face – merely his legs and a large steelwork tools container he held – but he helped me, when I was completely helpless.

Many times, life has a way of making you defensive, aggressive and competitive. His was the sort of gesture that melts away that protective shell. He demonstrated that people’s natural inclination is towards kindness, something I love about my fellow humans.