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

Back when I was nineteenth year, my regular journey to work involved an express bus. It was perpetually jammed and invariably became without any seats once I got on.

On one specific day, I was feeling terribly ill when the coach rocked around each corner. I continuously reassured myself to endure just a little longer before the bus reached my destination, so I could then rush hurriedly for the nearest washroom to vomit.

As we neared the street towards the stop when it dawned on me I wasn’t going to hold on. All of a sudden, it felt as if a curtain fell over me. Everything just went white and really quiet; similar to when one cut the sound. I thought, “I’m going to faint”.

Fortunately, I stood toward the front of the bus, so I managed a couple of steps to ask the driver and asked the driver to open the doors, explaining to him that I was about to vomit. He opened the doors and I stumbled out onto the sidewalk.

I was resolved to avoid being sick before multiple lanes of cars, so I forced myself up and began attempting to make my way toward the green space across the road, where I believed it would allow me to find some privacy behind a bush to throw up. However I likely fainted. I was aware of my physical self, yet I was unable to walk or see properly, so I began crawling towards the park.

“You right, love?”

Right then, I got scooped up. There was a strong arm supporting me and a man’s voice asked, “Everything alright, love?” I told this unknown man that I needed to get to a bathroom. Thus, he practically helped me walk into an adjacent building and guided me in the ladies’ toilets. He inquired if I wanted him to wait for me but I refused.

Not long after, I had recovered sufficiently to sit on the restroom floor and from outside the door I heard his voice asking, “Are you OK, love? Can I get you something?” I could not to rise at that moment but I did succeed to say thank you and shortly thereafter regained the function of my limbs. I got myself home and spent the next few days healing from which was a nasty tummy bug.

I did not see the stranger’s face – just his lower half and a large metal toolbox he was carrying – but he saved me, during a time when I was completely helpless.

Often this world has a way of making you guarded, hostile, and combative. His was the sort of gesture that melts away that hardening of the heart. He demonstrated that our default setting is towards kindness, something I love in other people.