Feeling So Sick I Couldn’t Walk As a Stranger Practically Supported Me to a Restroom.
At the age of nineteenth year, my daily commute meant taking an packed public transport. It was perpetually crowded and would always be standing room only when I boarded.
During a certain commute, I started experiencing quite nauseous as the bus rocked around each corner. I kept telling myself to endure just a little longer until the bus got to where I needed to get off, so I could then make a mad dash for the nearest public toilet to throw up.
As we neared the street towards the stop when it dawned on me I was unable to make it. All of a sudden, it was like a veil came over me. My vision turned blank and silent; similar to when one cut the sound. I said to myself, “I’m going to faint”.
Luckily I was close to the driver on the bus, so I managed a few steps forward and asked the driver to open the doors, explaining to him I was going to be sick. He promptly opened the doors and I stumbled out out onto the street.
I was determined to avoid being sick in front of multiple lanes of cars, so I picked myself up and started trying to stumble to the park on the other side, thinking I could I could at least discreetly hide among some shrubs to vomit. However I likely lost consciousness. I was aware of my body but I was unable to walk or see properly, so I started dragging myself toward the grassy area.
“You right, love?”
Right then, someone picked me up. There was someone holding me and a man’s voice asked, “You right, love?” I told this unknown man that I had to to vomit. So he virtually helped me walk down into an adjacent building and placed me in the ladies’ toilets. He wanted to know whether I required him to stay with me but I said no.
After a short while, I had recovered sufficiently to sit down and from the other side of the door I heard him inquire, “Are you OK, love? Can I get you something?” I could not to get up right away but I was able to thank him and shortly thereafter regained the function of my limbs. I made my way home and spent several days healing from what turned out to be a severe stomach virus.
I never glimpsed that man’s face – just his lower half and a large metal toolbox he had with him – but he helped me, at a moment I was completely helpless.
Many times, life has a way of making you self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. What he did was the kind of action that reverses that hardening of the heart. He demonstrated that people’s natural inclination leans toward compassion, a trait I cherish about humanity.
