I Was So Ill I Couldn’t Walk Until a Fellow Passenger Practically Supported Me to the Toilets.
Back when I was 19 years old, my regular journey to work involved an crowded coach. It remained crowded and was consistently standing room only once I boarded.
On one specific day, I was feeling incredibly sick while the vehicle lurched around every turn. I continuously reassured myself to hold on just a little longer so the bus could reached where I needed to get off, so I could then rush hurriedly for the nearest public toilet to vomit.
The bus was approaching the avenue close to the stop when it dawned on me I was unable to last. All of a sudden, it felt as if a veil came over me. The world became white and really quiet; as if someone cut the sound. I thought, “I will lose consciousness”.
Thankfully, I was positioned toward the front inside the vehicle, so I managed a couple of steps toward the driver and asked the driver to pull over, informing him I needed to be sick. He promptly opened the doors and I hurriedly stepped on to the pavement.
I was determined to not get sick in view of a busy multi-lane road, so I forced myself up and endeavored to stumble toward the green space across the road, where I thought I’d at least be able to discreetly hide among some shrubs to throw up. But then I likely fainted. I sensed my limbs, but I was unable to walk and my vision was blurry, leading me to start dragging myself toward my intended destination.
“Everything alright, love?”
Right then, someone picked me up. There was an arm around my waist and a stranger inquired, “You right, love?” I explained to this mysterious stranger that I needed to get to a bathroom. Thus, he practically supported my weight over to a close-by structure and placed me into the female bathroom. He inquired if I needed him to remain with me but I said no.
Not long after, I had recovered to the point of sitting down when from beyond the door came him inquire, “Do you need anything, love? Can I get you something?” I could not to get up right away but did manage to express my gratitude and following a brief period was able to move my limbs. I got myself home and then spent the following days healing from what was later diagnosed as a severe stomach virus.
I never glimpsed that man’s face – merely his legs along with a sizable steelwork tools container he held – but he saved me, during a time when I was in my weakest state.
Many times, life has a way of making you guarded, hostile, and combative. His act was the type of kindness that undoes that emotional callousness. He was proof that humanity’s innate tendency is towards kindness, a trait I cherish about humanity.
