In Such Poor Health I Was Unable to Walk As a Stranger Virtually Carried Me to the Toilets.
At the age of 19 years old, my morning travel involved an packed public transport. It was perpetually crowded and was consistently without any seats once I stepped aboard.
One particular morning, I began feeling terribly ill as the bus rocked around the bends. I continuously reassured myself to hold on another few kilometres until the bus reached my stop, at which point I could sprint quickly to the closest public restroom to be sick.
We were coming down the road leading to the stop when it dawned on me I would not be to hold on. In an instant, it was like a curtain fell over me. The world became blank and silent; like someone had muted everything. I said to myself, “I am about to pass out”.
Luckily I was near the front inside the vehicle, so I managed a few steps to ask the driver and told the operator to open the doors, informing him that I was about to get ill. He opened the bus doors and I hurriedly stepped onto the sidewalk.
My intention was to avoid being sick in view of multiple lanes of cars, so I picked myself up and began attempting to walk to the park across the road, where I believed it would allow me to discreetly hide near some foliage to vomit. However I must have blacked out. I could feel my body but walking was impossible or see clearly, so I began crawling towards my intended destination.
“You right, love?”
In that instant, I got scooped up. I sensed a strong arm supporting me and a man’s voice asked, “Everything alright, love?” I managed to tell the mysterious stranger that I had to to be sick. So he virtually helped me walk down into a nearby building and placed me in the ladies’ toilets. He asked me whether I required him to remain with me but I said no.
A few minutes later, I regained my composure sufficiently to sit on the toilet when from beyond the door I heard him inquire, “Do you need anything, love? Can I get you something?” I wasn’t able to stand up at that moment but I was able to say thank you and after a few more minutes recovered the use of my limbs. I made my way home and then spent several days healing from what turned out to be a severe stomach virus.
I never glimpsed that man’s face – only his legs and the big steelwork tools container he held – but he helped me, when I was in my weakest state.
Often this world has a way of making you guarded, hostile, and combative. His act was the type of kindness that melts away that hardening of the heart. He demonstrated that people’s natural inclination is towards kindness, something I love about humanity.
