I Was So Ill I Was Unable to Walk As a Stranger Essentially Lifted Me to a Bathroom.

At the age of my late teens, my morning travel involved an express bus. It was perpetually crowded and invariably became without any seats when I got on.

During a certain commute, I was feeling terribly ill as the bus swayed around the bends. I continuously reassured myself to endure just a little longer before the bus arrived at my destination, so I could then rush hurriedly to the closest public restroom to be sick.

We were coming down the avenue close to the destination as I realised I wasn’t going to last. In an instant, it seemed a fog descended upon me. Everything just went blank and silent; like someone had muted everything. I said to myself, “I will lose consciousness”.

Thankfully, I was positioned near the front on the bus, so I managed several steps toward the driver and told the operator to pull over, explaining to him I was going to be sick. He opened the doors and I hurriedly stepped onto the sidewalk.

I was resolved not to vomit before multiple lanes of cars, so I picked myself up and started trying to make my way toward the green space on the other side, where I believed I’d at least be able to secretly conceal myself among some shrubs to vomit. However I apparently fainted. I was aware of my physical self, yet I was unable to walk or see properly, so I started dragging myself toward the grassy area.

“You right, love?”

In that instant, I was lifted up. I sensed someone holding me and heard a man say, “Are you okay, dear?” I explained to this mysterious stranger that I had to to get to a bathroom. Therefore, he almost carried me down into a nearby building and put me in the ladies’ toilets. He inquired whether I required him to remain with me but I said no.

A few minutes later, I felt better to the point of sitting down and from the other side of the door I heard his voice asking, “Do you need anything, love? Can I get you something?” I wasn’t able to stand up right away but I did succeed to say thank you and after a few more minutes regained the function of my legs. I returned home and then spent several days getting over what was later diagnosed as a nasty tummy bug.

I did not see his features – only his legs and a large metal toolbox he held – but he helped me, when I was at my most vulnerable.

Often this world tends to make people self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. His act was the type of kindness that melts away that protective shell. He served as evidence that people’s natural inclination leans toward compassion, a trait I cherish about my fellow humans.