I Was So Ill I Was Unable to Walk When a Man Practically Supported Me to a Bathroom.

Back when I was my late teens, my regular journey to work was on an crowded coach. It remained jammed and was consistently standing room only by the time I got on.

One particular morning, I was feeling incredibly sick when the coach rocked around each corner. I continuously reassured myself to endure another few kilometres before the bus got to my destination, so I could then rush hurriedly toward the most convenient public restroom to vomit.

The bus was approaching the avenue close to the stop when it dawned on me I was unable to hold on. Suddenly, it felt as if a curtain fell over me. The world became blank and silent; similar to when one muted everything. I said to myself, “I’m going to faint”.

Luckily I was close to the driver of the bus, so I took a few steps to ask the driver and asked the driver to open the doors, explaining to him I was going to vomit. He opened the entrance and I weakly exited on to the pavement.

I was resolved to avoid being sick before a busy multi-lane road, so I picked myself up and began attempting to walk to the park across the road, thinking I could I could at least find some privacy among some shrubs to vomit. But then I must have fainted. I sensed my limbs, but I was unable to walk and my vision was blurry, leading me to start dragging myself toward the grassy area.

“Are you okay, dear?”

In that instant, I was lifted up. I felt an arm around my waist and a stranger inquired, “You right, love?” I told this kind passerby that I needed to get to a bathroom. Thus, he practically carried me over to a close-by structure and placed me in the ladies’ toilets. He asked me if I wanted him to remain with me but I refused.

Not long after, I regained my composure enough to sit on the restroom floor and from outside the stall I heard him ask, “Are you feeling better, dear? Can I get you something?” I wasn’t able to rise right away but did manage to express my gratitude and following a brief period was able to move my limbs. I got myself home passing the next few days getting over what was later diagnosed as a severe stomach virus.

I did not see that man’s face – just his lower half along with a sizable container for tools he held – but he saved me, at a moment I was in my weakest state.

Many times, life can make you defensive, aggressive and competitive. His was the sort of gesture that reverses that protective shell. He served as evidence that our default setting is towards kindness, a trait I cherish about my fellow humans.