I Was So Ill I Was Unable to Walk As a Stranger Virtually Carried Me to a Restroom.

At the age of nineteenth year, my morning travel meant taking an packed public transport. It was perpetually full and would always be without any seats once I boarded.

One particular morning, I was feeling terribly ill as the bus lurched around the bends. I repeatedly told myself to persevere another few kilometres until the bus got to where I needed to get off, at which point I could rush hurriedly toward the most convenient public restroom to throw up.

As we neared the avenue close to my stop and I understood I was unable to last. Suddenly, it felt as if a veil came over me. Everything just went blank and silent; like someone had cut the sound. I said to myself, “I’m going to faint”.

Luckily I was toward the front on the bus, allowing me to take a few steps forward and told the operator to open the doors, informing him I needed to be sick. The driver opened the doors and I stumbled out on to the pavement.

I was determined to avoid being sick in view of a busy multi-lane road, so I picked myself up and endeavored to stumble across to the park on the other side, where I thought I could at least secretly conceal myself among some shrubs to vomit. Yet I likely lost consciousness. I sensed my body but I was unable to walk or see properly, leading me to start inching my way to my intended destination.

“You right, love?”

At that moment, I was lifted up. There was an arm around my waist and heard a man say, “Everything alright, love?” I told this unknown man that I needed to be sick. Thus, he practically helped me walk down into an adjacent building and placed me in the ladies’ toilets. He wanted to know whether I required him to remain with me but I said no.

A few minutes later, I regained my composure to the point of sitting on the restroom floor and from outside the stall I heard his voice asking, “Are you feeling better, dear? Is there anything you require?” I wasn’t able to get up at that moment but I was able to say thank you and shortly thereafter recovered the use of my feet. I made my way home and then spent several days getting over what turned out to be a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I did not see that man’s face – merely his legs and the big metal toolbox he was carrying – but he helped me, at a moment I was completely helpless.

Frequently, society can make you defensive, aggressive and competitive. His was the sort of gesture that reverses that protective shell. He demonstrated that humanity’s innate tendency leans toward compassion, a trait I cherish about my fellow humans.