In Such Poor Health I Was Unable to Walk As a Stranger Virtually Carried Me to the Toilets.

During my 19 years old, my regular journey to work was on an packed public transport. It remained full and would always be completely full once I boarded.

During a certain commute, I started experiencing incredibly sick when the coach rocked around the bends. I continuously reassured myself to hold on another few kilometres until the bus reached my destination, and then I could sprint quickly toward the most convenient washroom to be sick.

The bus was approaching the avenue close to the stop when I understood I would not be to last. In an instant, it seemed a fog descended upon me. My vision turned hazy and muffled; like someone had turned off the audio. I thought, “I’m going to faint”.

Luckily I was toward the front inside the vehicle, so I managed a few steps to ask the driver and told the operator to stop, telling him that I was about to get ill. The driver opened the entrance and I stumbled out on to the pavement.

I was determined not to vomit in view of a busy multi-lane road, so I gathered myself and started trying to walk across to the park on the other side, thinking I could I could at least discreetly hide near some foliage to throw up. But then I must have fainted. I sensed my body but walking was impossible or see clearly, so I started crawling towards the grassy area.

“Everything alright, love?”

In that instant, I was lifted up. I sensed a strong arm supporting me and a stranger inquired, “Are you okay, dear?” I managed to tell the kind passerby that I required to get to a bathroom. Thus, he practically helped me walk into a close-by structure and put me inside the women’s restroom. He inquired whether I required him to stay with me but I said no.

Not long after, I felt better sufficiently to sit down and from the other side of the door I heard him ask, “Are you OK, love? Do you need anything?” I could not to get up right away but I was able to say thank you and shortly thereafter regained the function of my feet. I made my way home passing several days healing from what turned out to be a severe stomach virus.

I never saw his features – only his legs and the big metal toolbox he held – but he helped me, when I was in my weakest state.

Frequently, society has a way of making you self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. His was the sort of gesture that reverses that hardening of the heart. He was proof that our default setting is to be kind, something I love about humanity.