In Such Poor Health I Was Unable to Walk As a Stranger Practically Supported Me to a Restroom.

At the age of nineteenth year, my daily commute meant taking an express bus. It remained full and was consistently without any seats when I boarded.

One particular morning, I was feeling terribly ill when the coach swayed around each corner. I repeatedly told myself to endure for a few more stops so the bus could arrived at my stop, at which point I could make a mad dash for the nearest public restroom to vomit.

The bus was approaching the road leading to the stop when it dawned on me I was unable to hold on. All of a sudden, it was like a fog descended upon me. The world became hazy and muffled; similar to when one turned off the audio. I said to myself, “I am about to pass out”.

Fortunately, I stood close to the driver of the bus, allowing me to take a couple of steps toward the driver and told the operator to stop, informing him that I was about to vomit. He opened the bus doors and I stumbled out onto the sidewalk.

My intention was not to vomit in front of six lanes of traffic, so I forced myself up and began attempting to make my way toward the green space on the other side, thinking I could it would allow me to secretly conceal myself behind a bush to throw up. But then I likely blacked out. I sensed my physical self, yet I couldn’t walk or see clearly, leading me to start inching my way to the grassy area.

“You right, love?”

In that instant, I was lifted up. I sensed a strong arm supporting me and heard a man say, “Are you okay, dear?” I managed to tell the kind passerby that I had to to be sick. Therefore, he almost carried me down into a nearby building and guided me in the ladies’ toilets. He inquired if I wanted him to stay with me but I said no.

A few minutes later, I felt better sufficiently to sit down and from outside the door I heard him inquire, “Are you feeling better, dear? Is there anything you require?” I could not to stand up just then but I did succeed to thank him and shortly thereafter recovered the use of my feet. I got myself home and spent the next few days healing from what was later diagnosed as a nasty tummy bug.

I never glimpsed the stranger’s face – only his legs and a large steelwork tools container he held – yet he rescued me, at a moment I was in my weakest state.

Frequently, society has a way of making you defensive, aggressive and competitive. His was the sort of gesture that undoes that hardening of the heart. He was proof that humanity’s innate tendency is towards kindness, a quality I adore in other people.