Feeling So Sick I Was Unable to Walk As a Stranger Virtually Carried Me to a Restroom.

During my 19 years old, my daily commute was on an packed public transport. It remained full and was consistently completely full when I boarded.

One particular morning, I started experiencing quite nauseous when the coach swayed around every turn. I kept telling myself to hold on for a few more stops before the bus got to where I needed to get off, at which point I could make a mad dash toward the most convenient washroom to vomit.

We were coming down the road leading to my stop and I understood I would not be to last. In an instant, it felt as if a curtain fell over me. My vision turned hazy and muffled; as if someone muted everything. My mind raced, “I’m going to faint”.

Luckily I was close to the driver on the bus, so I took a few steps forward and requested that the driver to stop, explaining to him I was going to get ill. The driver opened the doors and I stumbled out onto the sidewalk.

My intention was not to vomit in front of multiple lanes of cars, so I forced myself up and began attempting to stumble across to the park across the road, where I thought I’d at least be able to secretly conceal myself behind a bush to throw up. But then I likely fainted. I was aware of my body but I couldn’t walk and my vision was blurry, so I began inching my way to the grassy area.

“Are you okay, dear?”

In that instant, I was lifted up. I sensed a strong arm supporting me and a man’s voice asked, “Everything alright, love?” I managed to tell the unknown man that I had to to be sick. Thus, he practically helped me walk into a nearby building and put me in the ladies’ toilets. He asked me if I needed him to remain with me but I said no.

Not long after, I had recovered sufficiently to sit down and from the other side of the stall I heard him inquire, “Are you OK, love? Do you need anything?” I wasn’t able to rise just then but I was able to express my gratitude and following a brief period recovered the use of my legs. I got myself home and spent the following days recovering from what turned out to be a severe stomach virus.

I did not see the stranger’s face – only his legs and a large steelwork tools container he was carrying – yet he rescued me, at a moment I was completely helpless.

Many times, life has a way of making you guarded, hostile, and combative. His was the sort of gesture that undoes that emotional callousness. He demonstrated that humanity’s innate tendency leans toward compassion, something I love about my fellow humans.