In Such Poor Health I Couldn’t Walk When a Man Essentially Lifted Me to a Restroom.
At the age of nineteenth year, my morning travel meant taking an express bus. The vehicle was always full and was consistently completely full when I boarded.
On one specific day, I started experiencing terribly ill while the vehicle swayed around every turn. I continuously reassured myself to hold on for a few more stops before the bus reached where I needed to get off, so I could then make a mad dash to the closest public toilet to throw up.
As we neared the street towards my stop and I realised I was unable to make it. Suddenly, it felt as if a fog descended upon me. Everything just went white and really quiet; similar to when one turned off the audio. My mind raced, “I am about to pass out”.
Luckily I was toward the front on the bus, so I managed a few steps toward the driver and asked the driver to open the doors, explaining to him I was going to get ill. The driver opened the doors and I hurriedly stepped onto the sidewalk.
My intention was not to vomit in front of a busy multi-lane road, so I gathered myself and started trying to stumble across to the park opposite the street, where I believed I’d at least be able to secretly conceal myself among some shrubs to be sick. Yet I must have blacked out. I sensed my physical self, yet I couldn’t walk or see properly, leading me to start crawling towards the park.
“You right, love?”
Right then, I got scooped up. I felt someone holding me and a stranger inquired, “You right, love?” I explained to this kind passerby that I required to vomit. Thus, he practically helped me walk down into a close-by structure and placed me in the ladies’ toilets. He asked me if I wanted him to wait for me but I said no.
Not long after, I had recovered enough to sit down when from beyond the door I heard him inquire, “Are you feeling better, dear? Is there anything you require?” I wasn’t able to get up at that moment but I was able to say thank you and shortly thereafter was able to move my feet. I returned home passing several days recovering from what was later diagnosed as a nasty tummy bug.
I never glimpsed that man’s face – only his legs and the big metal toolbox he had with him – yet he rescued me, when I was completely helpless.
Often this world can make you guarded, hostile, and combative. His was the sort of gesture that melts away that protective shell. He was proof that our default setting is towards kindness, a trait I cherish about humanity.
