I Was So Ill I Couldn’t Walk As a Stranger Essentially Lifted Me to the Toilets.
During my nineteenth year, my daily commute involved an crowded coach. It remained jammed and would always be without any seats when I got on.
During a certain commute, I was feeling incredibly sick as the bus lurched around each corner. I repeatedly told myself to persevere for a few more stops before the bus arrived at my stop, and then I could sprint quickly to the closest public toilet to throw up.
As we neared the avenue close to my stop and I realised I wasn’t going to make it. In an instant, it was like a fog descended upon me. My vision turned white and really quiet; like someone had muted everything. I said to myself, “I am about to pass out”.
Thankfully, I was positioned near the front on the bus, so I took a few steps forward and requested that the driver to pull over, explaining to him I needed to vomit. He opened the doors and I stumbled out on to the pavement.
I was resolved to avoid being sick before multiple lanes of cars, so I gathered myself and endeavored to walk to the park on the other side, thinking I could I’d at least be able to discreetly hide behind a bush to vomit. But then I must have fainted. I sensed my limbs, but I was unable to walk and my vision was blurry, leading me to start dragging myself toward the grassy area.
“Are you okay, dear?”
At that moment, I was lifted up. I sensed a strong arm supporting me and a man’s voice asked, “Are you okay, dear?” I managed to tell the kind passerby that I needed to vomit. So he virtually carried me into an adjacent building and placed me in the ladies’ toilets. He asked me if I needed him to remain with me but I refused.
A few minutes later, I felt better enough to sit on the toilet and from the other side of the stall I heard him inquire, “Are you feeling better, dear? Is there anything you require?” I wasn’t able to get up just then but I was able to express my gratitude and following a brief period recovered the use of my legs. I made my way home passing the next few days getting over what turned out to be a severe stomach virus.
I never glimpsed the stranger’s face – only his legs and the big container for tools he had with him – but he helped me, during a time when I was completely helpless.
Often this world can make you defensive, aggressive and competitive. What he did was the kind of action that reverses that protective shell. He was proof that our default setting is to be kind, something I love in other people.
