In Such Poor Health I Couldn’t Walk Until a Fellow Passenger Essentially Lifted Me to the Toilets.

During my 19 years old, my morning travel was on an packed public transport. It was perpetually full and would always be standing room only by the time I boarded.

One particular morning, I started experiencing terribly ill while the vehicle rocked around every turn. I continuously reassured myself to hold on just a little longer before the bus arrived at my destination, at which point I could sprint quickly toward the most convenient public restroom to be sick.

We were coming down the avenue close to the destination as I understood I was unable to last. In an instant, it felt as if a fog descended upon me. Everything just went blank and silent; as if someone cut the sound. I said to myself, “I will lose consciousness”.

Fortunately, I stood near the front of the bus, allowing me to take several steps forward and told the operator to open the doors, explaining to him I needed to vomit. The driver opened the doors and I stumbled out out onto the street.

I was determined to not get sick in view of six lanes of traffic, so I picked myself up and started trying to make my way to the park on the other side, where I thought it would allow me to discreetly hide among some shrubs to throw up. But then I apparently lost consciousness. I sensed my physical self, yet walking was impossible or see properly, so I started dragging myself toward the grassy area.

“Everything alright, love?”

At that moment, I was lifted up. I felt an arm around my waist and heard a man say, “You right, love?” I explained to this mysterious stranger that I required to be sick. So he virtually carried me over to a nearby building and placed me inside the women’s restroom. He inquired if I wanted him to stay with me but I said no.

After a short while, I had recovered sufficiently to sit on the restroom floor when from beyond the stall I heard him ask, “Are you feeling better, dear? Can I get you something?” I wasn’t able to get up just then but I did succeed to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes regained the function of my feet. I returned home passing several days recovering from what was later diagnosed as a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I did not see his features – only his legs along with a sizable steelwork tools container he had with him – yet he rescued me, at a moment I was completely helpless.

Many times, life tends to make people defensive, aggressive and competitive. His was the sort of gesture that reverses that hardening of the heart. He served as evidence that people’s natural inclination is towards kindness, a trait I cherish about humanity.