In Such Poor Health I Was Unable to Walk As a Stranger Practically Supported Me to a Restroom.

During my 19 years old, my morning travel was on an express bus. It remained full and invariably became standing room only once I stepped aboard.

One particular morning, I started experiencing quite nauseous while the vehicle rocked around every turn. I continuously reassured myself to endure for a few more stops until the bus reached my stop, at which point I could make a mad dash toward the most convenient public toilet to throw up.

As we neared the street towards my stop and I realised I would not be to make it. In an instant, it felt as if a fog descended upon me. The world became hazy and muffled; as if someone turned off the audio. My mind raced, “I will lose consciousness”.

Thankfully, I was positioned close to the driver inside the vehicle, so I took a couple of steps forward and requested that the driver to pull over, telling him I needed to get ill. The driver opened the doors and I hurriedly stepped out onto the street.

My intention was to avoid being sick in front of six lanes of traffic, so I forced myself up and endeavored to walk toward the green space opposite the street, where I believed it would allow me to discreetly hide among some shrubs to be sick. Yet I apparently blacked out. I could feel my body but walking was impossible and my vision was blurry, so I began crawling towards the park.

“You right, love?”

At that moment, I got scooped up. I felt someone holding me and a stranger inquired, “Are you okay, dear?” I managed to tell the kind passerby that I had to to get to a bathroom. Therefore, he almost helped me walk down into a close-by structure and placed me in the ladies’ toilets. He wanted to know if I needed him to wait for me but I refused.

After a short while, I felt better sufficiently to sit down when from beyond the stall I heard him inquire, “Are you feeling better, dear? Do you need anything?” I was incapable to get up just then but did manage to thank him and shortly thereafter recovered the use of my feet. I made my way home passing several days getting over what was later diagnosed as a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I never glimpsed that man’s face – just his lower half and a large metal toolbox he was carrying – but he saved me, at a moment I was in my weakest state.

Frequently, society has a way of making you defensive, aggressive and competitive. His was the sort of gesture that melts away that protective shell. He served as evidence that our default setting is to be kind, a quality I adore about my fellow humans.