In Such Poor Health Walking Was Impossible As a Stranger Virtually Carried Me to a Bathroom.

Back when I was 19 years old, my daily commute was on an express bus. It was perpetually jammed and would always be standing room only by the time I boarded.

During a certain commute, I was feeling terribly ill when the coach lurched around every turn. I repeatedly told myself to hold on for a few more stops until the bus reached where I needed to get off, at which point I could rush hurriedly to the closest public restroom to vomit.

As we neared the road leading to my stop and I understood I was unable to make it. All of a sudden, it felt as if a fog descended upon me. Everything just went blank and silent; as if someone muted everything. I said to myself, “I am about to pass out”.

Luckily I was toward the front of the bus, allowing me to take a couple of 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 entrance and I weakly exited on to the pavement.

My intention was to avoid being sick in view of a busy multi-lane road, so I forced myself up and endeavored to walk to the park on the other side, thinking I could it would allow me to secretly conceal myself among some shrubs to vomit. However I apparently blacked out. I sensed my limbs, but I was unable to walk and my vision was blurry, so I began inching my way to my intended destination.

“Everything alright, love?”

Right then, I was lifted up. I felt a strong arm supporting me and a stranger inquired, “Everything alright, love?” I explained to this mysterious stranger that I had to to get to a bathroom. Therefore, he almost supported my weight down into a nearby building and guided me in the ladies’ toilets. He asked me if I wanted him to wait for me but I declined.

Not long after, I had recovered sufficiently to sit on the toilet and from the other side of the door came his voice asking, “Are you feeling better, dear? Can I get you something?” I was incapable to rise just then but I did succeed to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes recovered the use of my limbs. I made my way home and then spent several days recovering from which was a nasty tummy bug.

I never glimpsed the stranger’s face – merely his legs and the big container for tools he had with him – but he helped me, when I was at my most vulnerable.

Many times, life can make you guarded, hostile, and combative. His was the sort of gesture that reverses that protective shell. He served as evidence that our default setting leans toward compassion, a trait I cherish about my fellow humans.