I Was So Ill I Was Unable to Walk As a Stranger Essentially Lifted Me to the Toilets.
During my 19 years old, my morning travel involved an crowded coach. It was perpetually jammed and would always be standing room only when I stepped aboard.
On one specific day, I began feeling terribly ill when the coach lurched around the bends. I repeatedly told myself to endure for a few more stops so the bus could got to where I needed to get off, and then I could make a mad dash for the nearest public restroom to throw up.
As we neared the road leading to the stop when it dawned on me I would not be to last. All of a sudden, it was like a curtain fell over me. Everything just went blank and silent; similar to when one muted everything. I said to myself, “I am about to pass out”.
Fortunately, I stood close to the driver inside the vehicle, allowing me to take a few steps forward and told the operator to open the doors, informing him I was going to be sick. He opened the doors and I stumbled out 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 opposite the street, where I believed it would allow me to discreetly hide behind a bush to vomit. However I likely blacked out. I sensed my physical self, yet I was unable to walk or see clearly, so I began crawling towards the park.
“You right, love?”
In that instant, I got scooped up. I sensed a strong arm supporting me and heard a man say, “You right, love?” I managed to tell the kind passerby that I had to to vomit. Thus, he practically carried me over to an adjacent building and placed me in the ladies’ toilets. He inquired if I needed him to remain with me but I declined.
Not long after, I regained my composure to the point of sitting on the toilet when from beyond the door came his voice asking, “Are you OK, love? Do you need anything?” I was incapable to get up just then but did manage to say thank you and shortly thereafter was able to move my legs. I got myself home and then spent the following days getting over what turned out to be a horrible case of gastroenteritis.
I never saw the stranger’s face – only his legs and a large metal toolbox he had with him – yet he rescued me, at a moment I was in my weakest state.
Many times, life tends to make people defensive, aggressive and competitive. His act was the type of kindness that melts away that hardening of the heart. He demonstrated that people’s natural inclination leans toward compassion, a trait I cherish about humanity.
