I Was So Ill I Was Unable to Walk When a Man Practically Supported Me to the Toilets.

During my nineteenth year, my daily commute involved an express bus. It remained crowded and would always be completely full when I boarded.

During a certain commute, I started experiencing quite nauseous while the vehicle lurched around the bends. I continuously reassured myself to endure for a few more stops until the bus arrived at where I needed to get off, at which point I could rush hurriedly for the nearest public restroom to vomit.

The bus was approaching the street towards my stop and it dawned on me I would not be to hold on. All of a sudden, it seemed a veil came over me. Everything just went hazy and muffled; like someone had turned off the audio. I said to myself, “I’m going to faint”.

Luckily I was toward the front on the bus, so I took a couple of steps to ask the driver and requested that the driver to pull over, informing him I was going to vomit. The driver opened the entrance and I weakly exited onto the sidewalk.

I was resolved to avoid being sick in view of six lanes of traffic, so I gathered myself and began attempting to make my way toward the green space opposite the street, thinking I could it would allow me to secretly conceal myself behind a bush to be sick. However I apparently blacked out. I could feel my limbs, but I was unable to walk and my vision was blurry, so I started inching my way to the grassy area.

“Are you okay, dear?”

Right then, I got scooped up. I sensed someone holding me and a stranger inquired, “Are you okay, dear?” I told this unknown man that I required to get to a bathroom. Therefore, he almost carried me over to a nearby building and guided me in the ladies’ toilets. He asked me if I wanted him to stay with me but I refused.

Not long after, I felt better enough to sit down when from beyond the door came him inquire, “Do you need anything, love? Do you need anything?” I was incapable to get up right away but I was able to say thank you and after a few more minutes recovered the use of my feet. I made my way home and then spent several days getting over which was a severe stomach virus.

I never glimpsed his features – just his lower half along with a sizable steelwork tools container he held – but he helped me, at a moment I was at my most vulnerable.

Many times, life has a way of making you defensive, aggressive and competitive. His was the sort of gesture that undoes that emotional callousness. He served as evidence that humanity’s innate tendency leans toward compassion, a quality I adore in other people.