In Such Poor Health I Couldn’t Walk Until a Fellow Passenger Practically Supported Me to the Toilets.
At the age of 19 years old, my morning travel was on an crowded coach. The vehicle was always full and invariably became without any seats once I boarded.
One particular morning, I was feeling quite nauseous while the vehicle lurched around every turn. I continuously reassured myself to persevere for a few more stops so the bus could got to my stop, and then I could rush hurriedly for the nearest public toilet to vomit.
We were coming down the avenue close to the stop when it dawned on me I wasn’t going to last. All of a sudden, it felt as if a fog descended upon me. Everything just went blank and silent; like someone had muted everything. I said to myself, “I will lose consciousness”.
Fortunately, I stood toward the front of the bus, allowing me to take a couple of steps to ask the driver and requested that the driver to pull over, explaining to him I was going to get ill. The driver opened the entrance and I stumbled out onto the sidewalk.
I was resolved to avoid being sick before a busy multi-lane road, so I picked myself up and began attempting to walk toward the green space across the road, where I believed I could at least discreetly hide among some shrubs to throw up. But then I likely blacked out. I sensed my physical self, yet I couldn’t walk or see clearly, so I began dragging myself toward my intended destination.
“Everything alright, love?”
Right then, someone picked me up. I sensed someone holding me and heard a man say, “Everything alright, love?” I explained to this mysterious stranger that I had to to get to a bathroom. Therefore, he almost carried me down into a close-by structure and guided me in the ladies’ toilets. He inquired whether I required him to wait for me but I refused.
A few minutes later, I felt better enough to sit on the restroom floor and from the other side of the stall I heard him ask, “Are you feeling better, dear? Is there anything you require?” I could not to stand up just then but I was able to express my gratitude and following a brief period regained the function of my legs. I got myself home and then spent the following days getting over what turned out to be a horrible case of gastroenteritis.
I never glimpsed the stranger’s face – just his lower half and the big metal toolbox he held – but he helped me, when I was completely helpless.
Frequently, society tends to make people guarded, hostile, and combative. His act was the type of kindness that reverses that hardening of the heart. He served as evidence that humanity’s innate tendency leans toward compassion, something I love in other people.