I Was So Ill I Couldn’t Walk When a Man Virtually Carried Me to the Toilets.

During my 19 years old, my morning travel was on an packed public transport. The vehicle was always jammed and would always be without any seats when I stepped aboard.

On one specific day, I started experiencing terribly ill when the coach rocked around each corner. I continuously reassured myself to persevere for a few more stops so the bus could reached where I needed to get off, at which point I could make a mad dash to the closest public toilet to be sick.

The bus was approaching the road leading to the destination as I understood I wasn’t going to hold on. Suddenly, it seemed a veil came over me. My vision turned blank and silent; like someone had turned off the audio. I thought, “I will lose consciousness”.

Fortunately, I stood close to the driver of the bus, so I managed a few steps to ask the driver and told the operator to open the doors, explaining to him that I was about to get ill. He opened the entrance and I hurriedly stepped out onto the street.

I was determined not to vomit in view of multiple lanes of cars, so I picked myself up and began attempting to stumble to the park on the other side, where I believed it would allow me to find some privacy among some shrubs to throw up. But then I likely lost consciousness. I could feel my body but I was unable to walk or see clearly, so I started crawling towards the grassy area.

“Everything alright, love?”

In that instant, I was lifted up. There was someone holding me and a man’s voice asked, “You right, love?” I told this unknown man that I required to vomit. Therefore, he almost helped me walk into a nearby building and put me inside the women’s restroom. He inquired if I needed him to remain with me but I said no.

After a short while, I felt better sufficiently to sit on the restroom floor and from outside the stall I heard him ask, “Are you feeling better, dear? Do you need anything?” I wasn’t able to get up at that moment but I did succeed to express my gratitude and following a brief period regained the function of my legs. I returned home and then spent several days getting over what was later diagnosed as a severe stomach virus.

I did not see his features – only his legs and the big container for tools he held – yet he rescued me, during a time when I was completely helpless.

Often this world can make you defensive, aggressive and competitive. His was the sort of gesture that undoes that protective shell. He was proof that humanity’s innate tendency leans toward compassion, a quality I adore in other people.