I Was So Ill Walking Was Impossible As a Stranger Practically Supported Me to the Toilets.

At the age of nineteenth year, my regular journey to work meant taking an packed public transport. It remained jammed and would always be completely full once I stepped aboard.

One particular morning, I started experiencing terribly ill as the bus lurched around the bends. I continuously reassured myself to persevere just a little longer until the bus arrived at where I needed to get off, at which point I could rush hurriedly to the closest public toilet to throw up.

We were coming down the avenue close to the stop when I realised I was unable to hold on. In an instant, it seemed a veil came over me. Everything just went white and really quiet; similar to when one muted everything. I said to myself, “I am about to pass out”.

Fortunately, I stood near the front inside the vehicle, so I took a couple of steps forward and asked the driver to stop, explaining to him that I was about to vomit. The driver opened the bus doors and I weakly exited out onto the street.

I was resolved to not get sick in view of a busy multi-lane road, so I gathered myself and started trying to stumble to the park on the other side, thinking I could I’d at least be able to discreetly hide among some shrubs to be sick. Yet I apparently fainted. I was aware of my physical self, yet walking was impossible or see properly, leading me to start dragging myself toward the grassy area.

“Are you okay, dear?”

Right then, someone picked me up. I felt an arm around my waist and a man’s voice asked, “Everything alright, love?” I managed to tell the unknown man that I needed to get to a bathroom. Therefore, he almost supported my weight down into a close-by structure and guided me in the ladies’ toilets. He asked me if I needed him to stay with me but I refused.

After a short while, I regained my composure sufficiently to sit on the restroom floor and from the other side of the stall I heard him ask, “Do you need anything, love? Is there anything you require?” I was incapable to get up at that moment but I was able to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes regained the function of my legs. I got myself home and spent the following days recovering from which was a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I never saw his features – merely his legs and a large container for tools he was carrying – but he helped me, at a moment I was completely helpless.

Often this world tends to make people defensive, aggressive and competitive. His act was the type of kindness that undoes that protective shell. He demonstrated that our default setting is to be kind, a trait I cherish about my fellow humans.