In Such Poor Health Walking Was Impossible Until a Fellow Passenger Virtually Carried Me to a Restroom.

During my my late teens, my daily commute involved an express bus. It remained full and would always be standing room only once I stepped aboard.

During a certain commute, I was feeling incredibly sick as the bus rocked around the bends. I repeatedly told myself to endure just a little longer until the bus got to my destination, and then I could make a mad dash for the nearest public restroom to vomit.

As we neared the street towards my stop and I realised I wasn’t going to hold on. In an instant, it felt as if a veil came over me. My vision turned hazy and muffled; like someone had cut the sound. I said to myself, “I’m going to faint”.

Luckily I was toward the front of the bus, so I managed a couple of steps forward and told the operator to open the doors, informing him I needed to get ill. The driver opened the entrance and I stumbled out out onto the street.

I was resolved to not get sick before multiple lanes of cars, so I forced myself up and endeavored to make my way toward the green space opposite the street, thinking I could I could at least secretly conceal myself among some shrubs to be sick. However I likely fainted. I could feel my body but walking was impossible or see clearly, leading me to start dragging myself toward the grassy area.

“Are you okay, dear?”

At that moment, I got scooped up. I felt an arm around my waist and a stranger inquired, “Are you okay, dear?” I told this kind passerby that I had to to vomit. So he virtually helped me walk over to a close-by structure and put me inside the women’s restroom. He inquired whether I required him to remain with me but I refused.

Not long after, I regained my composure to the point of sitting on the restroom floor and from outside the door came him inquire, “Are you OK, love? Do you need anything?” I was incapable to rise at that moment but I did succeed to thank him and after a few more minutes was able to move my legs. I got myself home passing several days getting over what was later diagnosed as a severe stomach virus.

I never glimpsed that man’s face – just his lower half along with a sizable container for tools he was carrying – but he helped me, when I was at my most vulnerable.

Many times, life has a way of making you guarded, hostile, and combative. His was the sort of gesture that melts away that emotional callousness. He served as evidence that humanity’s innate tendency is towards kindness, a quality I adore about my fellow humans.