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

During my my late teens, my morning travel meant taking an express bus. It was perpetually crowded and was consistently completely full when I stepped aboard.

On one specific day, I began feeling quite nauseous when the coach rocked around the bends. I continuously reassured myself to persevere another few kilometres before the bus arrived at where I needed to get off, and then I could make a mad dash for the nearest public toilet to throw up.

The bus was approaching the avenue close to the stop when I realised I would not be to hold on. All of a sudden, it felt as if a veil came over me. The world became white and really quiet; similar to when one cut the sound. My mind raced, “I am about to pass out”.

Thankfully, I was positioned close to the driver inside the vehicle, allowing me to take several steps forward and requested that the driver to stop, informing him I needed to get ill. The driver opened the entrance and I weakly exited on to the pavement.

I was resolved to avoid being sick in front of six lanes of traffic, so I forced myself up and started trying to stumble across to the park opposite the street, thinking I could I’d at least be able to find some privacy near some foliage to be sick. Yet I apparently lost consciousness. I was aware of my physical self, yet I couldn’t walk or see clearly, leading me to start inching my way to the park.

“Are you okay, dear?”

Right then, someone picked me up. I felt an arm around my waist and a stranger inquired, “You right, love?” I told this mysterious stranger that I required to vomit. Thus, he practically supported my weight into an adjacent building and guided me in the ladies’ toilets. He wanted to know whether I required him to wait for me but I said no.

Not long after, I regained my composure sufficiently to sit on the toilet when from beyond the door came his voice asking, “Do you need anything, love? Do you need anything?” I was incapable to rise at that moment but I did succeed to say thank you and shortly thereafter was able to move my feet. I returned home passing several days healing from which was a nasty tummy bug.

I never glimpsed his features – just his lower half and a large metal toolbox he was carrying – but he helped me, at a moment I was at my most vulnerable.

Many times, life can make you guarded, hostile, and combative. His act was the type of kindness that melts away that protective shell. He was proof that our default setting is towards kindness, a trait I cherish in other people.