I Was So Ill I Was Unable to Walk As a Stranger Virtually Carried Me to the Toilets.

During my nineteenth year, my regular journey to work was on an packed public transport. It was perpetually crowded and invariably became standing room only once I stepped aboard.

During a certain commute, I was feeling terribly ill as the bus rocked around the bends. I repeatedly told myself to endure another few kilometres until the bus got to my destination, so I could then make a mad dash for the nearest public toilet to be sick.

The bus was approaching the avenue close to my stop and I realised I wasn’t going to hold on. Suddenly, it felt as if a fog descended upon me. My vision turned blank and silent; as if someone muted everything. I thought, “I’m going to faint”.

Luckily I was toward the front on the bus, allowing me to take a few steps toward the driver and asked the driver to stop, explaining to him I was going to get ill. The driver opened the bus doors and I stumbled out out onto the street.

I was determined not to vomit in view of multiple lanes of cars, so I gathered myself and endeavored to stumble across to the park opposite the street, thinking I could I’d at least be able to find some privacy behind a bush to throw up. However I must have fainted. I sensed my limbs, but I was unable to walk or see clearly, leading me to start dragging myself toward the grassy area.

“Everything alright, love?”

In that instant, I got scooped up. I felt a strong arm supporting me and heard a man say, “Everything alright, love?” I told this unknown man that I needed to get to a bathroom. So he virtually carried me over to a nearby building and placed me inside the women’s restroom. He wanted to know if I wanted him to stay with me but I said no.

After a short while, I felt better enough to sit down and from outside the door I heard him inquire, “Are you feeling better, dear? Is there anything you require?” I wasn’t able to stand up at that moment but I did succeed to say thank you and after a few more minutes was able to move my limbs. I returned home and spent the next few days getting over which was a nasty tummy bug.

I never saw that man’s face – only his legs along with a sizable metal toolbox he had with him – but he saved me, at a moment I was completely helpless.

Many times, life can make you self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. His act was the type of kindness that melts away that emotional callousness. He was proof that our default setting is towards kindness, something I love about my fellow humans.