Feeling So Sick Walking Was Impossible When a Man Virtually Carried Me to a Restroom.

At the age of 19 years old, my daily commute meant taking an packed public transport. It was perpetually crowded and would always be completely full when I got on.

One particular morning, I began feeling incredibly sick as the bus swayed around the bends. I continuously reassured myself to persevere another few kilometres before the bus arrived at where I needed to get off, so I could then sprint quickly to the closest public toilet to throw up.

The bus was approaching the street towards the destination as it dawned on me I was unable to hold on. All of a sudden, it seemed a curtain fell over me. The world became hazy and muffled; like someone had muted everything. I thought, “I’m going to faint”.

Luckily I was toward the front of the bus, so I managed a few steps toward the driver and told the operator to stop, explaining to him I needed to vomit. The driver opened the doors and I hurriedly stepped out onto the street.

I was resolved to not get sick in view of multiple lanes of cars, so I gathered myself and started trying to stumble toward the green space on the other side, where I thought I could at least secretly conceal myself behind a bush to be sick. But then I must have lost consciousness. I sensed my limbs, but I couldn’t walk and my vision was blurry, so I began crawling towards my intended destination.

“Are you okay, dear?”

In that instant, I was lifted up. I sensed a strong arm supporting me and a stranger inquired, “You right, love?” I explained to this unknown man that I had to to vomit. Therefore, he almost helped me walk over to an adjacent building and guided me inside the women’s restroom. He asked me if I needed him to remain with me but I refused.

After a short while, I had recovered sufficiently to sit down and from outside the stall I heard him inquire, “Are you feeling better, dear? Do you need anything?” I could not to get up just then but I was able to say thank you and after a few more minutes recovered the use of my feet. I returned home passing the next few days healing from what turned out to be a severe stomach virus.

I never saw the stranger’s face – only his legs and a large steelwork tools container he held – but he saved me, when I was at my most vulnerable.

Many times, life can make you self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. His act was the type of kindness that melts away that protective shell. He demonstrated that people’s natural inclination leans toward compassion, a quality I adore about humanity.