Feeling So Sick I Was Unable to Walk Until a Fellow Passenger Essentially Lifted Me to the Toilets.

During my my late teens, my daily commute involved an express bus. The vehicle was always crowded and invariably became without any seats when I boarded.

One particular morning, I began feeling quite nauseous while the vehicle lurched around every turn. I repeatedly told myself to persevere another few kilometres so the bus could arrived at where I needed to get off, at which point I could rush hurriedly toward the most convenient public toilet to be sick.

We were coming down the road leading to the stop when it dawned on me I would not be to make it. All of a sudden, it seemed a curtain fell over me. The world became blank and silent; as if someone muted everything. I thought, “I am about to pass out”.

Thankfully, I was positioned close to the driver inside the vehicle, so I took a few steps toward the driver and requested that the driver to pull over, telling him that I was about to be sick. He opened the doors and I weakly exited on to the pavement.

I was resolved not to vomit in front of multiple lanes of cars, so I gathered myself and endeavored to stumble to the park across the road, where I thought I’d at least be able to secretly conceal myself among some shrubs to vomit. But then I likely fainted. I was aware of my body but walking was impossible or see clearly, leading me to start dragging myself toward my intended destination.

“Are you okay, dear?”

Right then, I got scooped up. I felt an arm around my waist and heard a man say, “You right, love?” I managed to tell the mysterious stranger that I had to to get to a bathroom. So he virtually helped me walk into a nearby building and placed me inside the women’s restroom. He wanted to know if I needed him to remain with me but I refused.

After a short while, I had recovered sufficiently to sit down and from outside the stall I heard him inquire, “Are you feeling better, dear? Can I get you something?” I could not to get up just then but I was able to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes regained the function of my limbs. I returned home and spent the following days healing from what turned out to be a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I never glimpsed that man’s face – just his lower half and a large metal toolbox he was carrying – but he helped me, during a time when I was at my most vulnerable.

Often this world can make you guarded, hostile, and combative. His was the sort of gesture that reverses that emotional callousness. He demonstrated that people’s natural inclination leans toward compassion, a trait I cherish in other people.