In Such Poor Health I Couldn’t Walk As a Stranger Practically Supported Me to a Restroom.

At the age of nineteenth year, my regular journey to work meant taking an crowded coach. The vehicle was always full and invariably became without any seats when I got on.

During a certain commute, I started experiencing terribly ill while the vehicle lurched around the bends. I repeatedly told myself to hold on for a few more stops before the bus got to my destination, at which point I could rush hurriedly to the closest washroom to vomit.

As we neared the avenue close to my stop and I understood I was unable to last. Suddenly, it was like a fog descended upon me. My vision turned white and really quiet; as if someone turned off the audio. I said to myself, “I’m going to faint”.

Luckily I was toward the front of the bus, allowing me to take a couple of steps to ask the driver and requested that the driver to stop, informing him I was going to be sick. He opened the entrance and I hurriedly stepped on to the pavement.

I was determined not to vomit in front of multiple lanes of cars, so I gathered myself and endeavored to make my way toward the green space across the road, where I thought I’d at least be able to discreetly hide near some foliage to be sick. But then I likely blacked out. I could feel my body but I couldn’t walk or see properly, leading me to start crawling towards the grassy area.

“You right, love?”

In that instant, I got scooped up. I sensed someone holding me and a stranger inquired, “Are you okay, dear?” I told this mysterious stranger that I needed to get to a bathroom. Thus, he practically carried me into an adjacent building and placed me inside the women’s restroom. He wanted to know whether I required him to stay with me but I declined.

After a short while, I felt better to the point of sitting down and from outside the door came his voice asking, “Do you need anything, love? Do you need anything?” I wasn’t able to get up right away but did manage to thank him and following a brief period was able to move my limbs. I got myself home and spent several days healing from what was later diagnosed as a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I never glimpsed the stranger’s face – just his lower half along with a sizable metal toolbox he held – yet he rescued me, during a time when I was at my most vulnerable.

Many times, life has a way of making you defensive, aggressive and competitive. His act was the type of kindness that reverses that emotional callousness. He was proof that our default setting is to be kind, a trait I cherish about my fellow humans.