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

At the age of my late teens, my regular journey to work involved an crowded coach. It remained full and invariably became without any seats when I boarded.

One particular morning, I was feeling incredibly sick as the bus rocked around each corner. I repeatedly told myself to persevere just a little longer so the bus could got to my stop, so I could then make a mad dash toward the most convenient washroom to throw up.

We were coming down the avenue close to the stop when I realised I was unable to hold on. Suddenly, it was like a curtain fell over me. The world became white and really quiet; as if someone turned off the audio. My mind raced, “I am about to pass out”.

Thankfully, I was positioned toward the front of the bus, allowing me to take a few steps forward and requested that the driver to pull over, informing him I was going to get ill. He opened the bus doors and I weakly exited on to the pavement.

My intention was not to vomit before six lanes of traffic, so I picked myself up and started trying to walk toward the green space across the road, where I believed it would allow me to discreetly hide near some foliage to throw up. But then I likely lost consciousness. I sensed my limbs, but I was unable to walk or see clearly, leading me to start crawling towards my intended destination.

“You right, love?”

At that moment, someone picked me up. I sensed someone holding me and a man’s voice asked, “Are you okay, dear?” I told this kind passerby that I needed to be sick. So he virtually helped me walk into a close-by structure and put me inside the women’s restroom. He inquired if I needed him to stay with me but I declined.

Not long after, I regained my composure to the point of sitting down and from the other side of the stall I heard him ask, “Are you feeling better, dear? Is there anything you require?” I could not to rise right away but I did succeed to say thank you and after a few more minutes regained the function of my limbs. I made my way home passing several days healing from which was a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I never saw his features – merely his legs and a large metal toolbox he had with him – but he helped me, during a time when I was at my most vulnerable.

Often this world tends to make people defensive, aggressive and competitive. His act was the type of kindness that melts away that hardening of the heart. He served as evidence that humanity’s innate tendency is towards kindness, a quality I adore about my fellow humans.