In Such Poor Health Walking Was Impossible When a Man Practically Supported Me to the Toilets.
During my 19 years old, my daily commute was on an packed public transport. The vehicle was always jammed and would always be completely full by the time I stepped aboard.
On one specific day, I began feeling quite nauseous while the vehicle rocked around each corner. I continuously reassured myself to endure for a few more stops until the bus reached my stop, so I could then rush hurriedly to the closest washroom to vomit.
As we neared the avenue close to the stop when I realised I wasn’t going to hold on. In an instant, it was like a curtain fell over me. My vision turned hazy and muffled; similar to when one cut the sound. I said to myself, “I’m going to faint”.
Fortunately, I stood near the front of the bus, so I managed a couple of steps to ask the driver and asked the driver to stop, telling him that I was about to vomit. The driver opened the bus doors and I weakly exited on to the pavement.
I was determined not to vomit in view of six lanes of traffic, so I picked myself up and started trying to make my way to the park on the other side, where I believed I’d at least be able to discreetly hide behind a bush to throw up. Yet I likely lost consciousness. I sensed my physical self, yet I was unable to walk and my vision was blurry, so I began inching my way to the grassy area.
“You right, love?”
At that moment, I got scooped up. I felt someone holding me and a stranger inquired, “You right, love?” I told this mysterious stranger that I had to to vomit. Thus, he practically supported my weight into a nearby building and put me in the ladies’ toilets. He wanted to know if I wanted him to wait for me but I said no.
Not long after, I regained my composure to the point of sitting down and from outside the stall I heard his voice asking, “Are you OK, love? Can I get you something?” I could not to stand up right away but I was able to express my gratitude and following a brief period was able to move my limbs. I got myself home and then spent the next few days getting over what was later diagnosed as a nasty tummy bug.
I did not see his features – just his lower half and the big container for tools he held – but he helped me, during a time when I was at my most vulnerable.
Frequently, society tends to make people defensive, aggressive and competitive. His act was the type of kindness that reverses that emotional callousness. He served as evidence that our default setting is towards kindness, something I love about humanity.
