I Was So Ill I Couldn’t Walk Until a Fellow Passenger Virtually Carried Me to the Toilets.
Back when I was 19 years old, my regular journey to work involved an express bus. It remained crowded and was consistently standing room only when I stepped aboard.
During a certain commute, I began feeling terribly ill when the coach swayed around each corner. I continuously reassured myself to endure just a little longer until the bus got to my stop, and then I could make a mad dash toward the most convenient washroom to be sick.
As we neared the avenue close to the stop when I realised I wasn’t going to make it. Suddenly, it felt as if a veil came over me. The world became hazy and muffled; as if someone muted everything. I said to myself, “I will lose consciousness”.
Thankfully, I was positioned close to the driver of the bus, so I took a couple of steps forward and requested that the driver to pull over, informing him I needed to get ill. He opened the doors and I stumbled out onto the sidewalk.
I was resolved to avoid being sick before six lanes of traffic, so I forced myself up and endeavored to stumble toward the green space across the road, where I thought it would allow me to find some privacy behind a bush to throw up. However I likely blacked out. I was aware of my physical self, yet I was unable to walk and my vision was blurry, leading me to start dragging myself toward my intended destination.
“You right, love?”
At that moment, I got scooped up. I sensed a strong arm supporting me and a stranger inquired, “Are you okay, dear?” I explained to this mysterious stranger that I had to to get to a bathroom. Thus, he practically supported my weight over to a nearby building and guided me into the female bathroom. He inquired if I wanted him to wait for me but I said no.
A few minutes later, I felt better to the point of sitting on the restroom floor when from beyond the door came him ask, “Do you need anything, love? Do you need anything?” I wasn’t able to get up at that moment but I did succeed to express my gratitude and shortly thereafter was able to move my legs. I made my way home and spent several days getting over what was later diagnosed as a severe stomach virus.
I never glimpsed his features – merely his legs along with a sizable metal toolbox he was carrying – but he saved me, during a time when I was in my weakest state.
Many times, life has a way of making you guarded, hostile, and combative. His act was the type of kindness that reverses that emotional callousness. He demonstrated that people’s natural inclination leans toward compassion, a trait I cherish in other people.
