Feeling So Sick I Was Unable to Walk As a Stranger Essentially Lifted Me to the Toilets.
At the age of 19 years old, my morning travel involved an packed public transport. The vehicle was always crowded and would always be standing room only when I boarded.
One particular morning, I was feeling quite nauseous when the coach rocked around the bends. I continuously reassured myself to endure just a little longer before the bus reached my destination, at which point I could rush hurriedly toward the most convenient public toilet to vomit.
We were coming down the road leading to the stop when I realised I wasn’t going to last. In an instant, it was like a fog descended upon me. The world became white and really quiet; like someone had cut the sound. My mind raced, “I am about to pass out”.
Thankfully, I was positioned near the front of the bus, so I managed several steps toward the driver and asked the driver to open the doors, informing him I was going to vomit. The driver opened the entrance and I weakly exited out onto the street.
My intention was not to vomit in view of multiple lanes of cars, so I forced myself up and began attempting to make my way to the park across the road, where I believed it would allow me to secretly conceal myself among some shrubs to vomit. However I likely fainted. I was aware of my body but I couldn’t walk or see properly, so I started crawling towards the grassy area.
“Are you okay, dear?”
Right then, I was lifted up. I sensed a strong arm supporting me and a man’s voice asked, “Are you okay, dear?” I explained to this kind passerby that I required to vomit. Therefore, he almost helped me walk down into a nearby building and placed me into the female bathroom. He inquired whether I required him to remain with me but I declined.
Not long after, I felt better enough to sit on the restroom floor when from beyond the stall I heard his voice asking, “Are you feeling better, dear? Can I get you something?” I could not to rise just then but did manage to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes regained the function of my limbs. I got myself home and then spent several days recovering from which was a severe stomach virus.
I never glimpsed that man’s face – just his lower half and a large metal toolbox he held – but he helped me, when I was at my most vulnerable.
Frequently, society can make you guarded, hostile, and combative. His was the sort of gesture that undoes that emotional callousness. He demonstrated that our default setting is to be kind, a quality I adore about my fellow humans.
