Feeling So Sick Walking Was Impossible When a Man Practically Supported Me to a Bathroom.
During my 19 years old, my daily commute meant taking an express bus. It remained jammed and was consistently without any seats when I boarded.
One particular morning, I was feeling incredibly sick as the bus rocked around every turn. I kept telling myself to persevere for a few more stops before the bus arrived at where I needed to get off, and then I could make a mad dash to the closest public restroom to throw up.
As we neared the avenue close to the destination as I realised I was unable to last. Suddenly, it seemed a veil came over me. My vision turned white and really quiet; as if someone muted everything. I thought, “I am about to pass out”.
Thankfully, I was positioned close to the driver inside the vehicle, allowing me to take a few steps toward the driver and requested that the driver to pull over, explaining to him that I was about to vomit. He promptly opened the bus doors and I hurriedly stepped onto the sidewalk.
My intention was not to vomit in front of a busy multi-lane road, so I picked myself up and started trying to stumble across to the park across the road, thinking I could I’d at least be able to secretly conceal myself among some shrubs to throw up. However I likely fainted. I could feel my body but walking was impossible or see properly, leading me to start crawling towards my intended destination.
“You right, love?”
At that moment, I got scooped up. There was an arm around my waist and a stranger inquired, “Everything alright, love?” I managed to tell the unknown man that I needed to get to a bathroom. So he virtually helped me walk down into an adjacent building and put me in the ladies’ toilets. He asked me if I wanted him to wait for me but I said no.
After a short while, I felt better sufficiently to sit on the toilet and from outside the door I heard him inquire, “Are you OK, love? Can I get you something?” I wasn’t able to stand up right away but I was able to thank him and following a brief period was able to move my limbs. I made my way home and then spent several days healing from what turned out to be a severe stomach virus.
I did not see his features – merely his legs and the big steelwork tools container he held – but he saved me, during a time when I was completely helpless.
Frequently, society has a way of making you self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. What he did was the kind of action that reverses that hardening of the heart. He served as evidence that our default setting leans toward compassion, a trait I cherish about my fellow humans.
