I Was So Ill Walking Was Impossible As a Stranger Practically Supported Me to the Toilets.

At the age of nineteenth year, my daily commute meant taking an packed public transport. The vehicle was always crowded and invariably became standing room only once I boarded.

On one specific day, I was feeling quite nauseous when the coach swayed around the bends. I repeatedly told myself to persevere for a few more stops until the bus arrived at where I needed to get off, so I could then sprint quickly toward the most convenient washroom to vomit.

The bus was approaching the road leading to my stop and I understood I would not be to hold on. All of a sudden, it seemed a curtain fell over me. My vision turned blank and silent; as if someone muted everything. I said to myself, “I’m going to faint”.

Thankfully, I was positioned toward the front of the bus, allowing me to take several steps toward the driver and requested that the driver to pull over, telling him that I was about to vomit. He opened the bus doors and I hurriedly stepped out onto the street.

I was resolved to avoid being sick before a busy multi-lane road, so I picked myself up and began attempting to make my way to the park on the other side, where I believed I’d at least be able to find some privacy among some shrubs to vomit. However I likely fainted. I sensed my limbs, but I couldn’t walk and my vision was blurry, leading me to start inching my way to the park.

“You right, love?”

Right then, I got scooped up. I sensed a strong arm supporting me and a man’s voice asked, “You right, love?” I managed to tell the mysterious stranger that I needed to be sick. So he virtually helped me walk over to a nearby building and put me inside the women’s restroom. He inquired whether I required him to remain with me but I said no.

Not long after, I regained my composure to the point of sitting down when from beyond the door I heard him inquire, “Do you need anything, love? Do you need anything?” I was incapable to get up right away but did manage to say thank you and after a few more minutes recovered the use of my legs. I made my way home passing the next few days healing from what was later diagnosed as a severe stomach virus.

I did not see that man’s face – only his legs along with a sizable steelwork tools container he held – but he helped me, during a time when I was at my most vulnerable.

Often this world has a way of making you guarded, hostile, and combative. His act was the type of kindness that undoes that protective shell. He served as evidence that our default setting is to be kind, a quality I adore in other people.