Feeling So Sick Walking Was Impossible As a Stranger Essentially Lifted Me to the Toilets.

At the age of nineteenth year, my morning travel meant taking an packed public transport. It was perpetually full and would always be standing room only once I stepped aboard.

During a certain commute, I began feeling incredibly sick as the bus swayed around each corner. I repeatedly told myself to hold on another few kilometres before the bus reached my stop, and then I could sprint quickly for the nearest public restroom to vomit.

We were coming down the street towards the destination as I understood I would not be to make it. In an instant, it felt as if a fog descended upon me. Everything just went hazy and muffled; similar to when one muted everything. I thought, “I am about to pass out”.

Thankfully, I was positioned close to the driver inside the vehicle, allowing me to take several steps forward and asked the driver to pull over, informing him I needed to vomit. He promptly opened the doors and I stumbled out out onto the street.

I was determined to avoid being sick in front of six lanes of traffic, so I gathered myself and endeavored to make my way across to the park across the road, where I believed I could at least discreetly hide among some shrubs to throw up. But then I likely lost consciousness. I sensed my body but I couldn’t walk and my vision was blurry, leading me to start inching my way to my intended destination.

“Are you okay, dear?”

Right then, I got scooped up. There was someone holding me and heard a man say, “You right, love?” I told this kind passerby that I needed to get to a bathroom. So he virtually carried me down into a close-by structure and placed me inside the women’s restroom. He wanted to know if I needed him to remain with me but I declined.

Not long after, I had recovered enough to sit on the toilet and from outside the door came him ask, “Are you feeling better, dear? Can I get you something?” I could not to get up right away but I did succeed to express my gratitude and shortly thereafter was able to move my limbs. I made my way home and spent the following days getting over what turned out to be a severe stomach virus.

I did not see his features – only his legs and a large metal toolbox he held – but he helped me, at a moment I was at my most vulnerable.

Frequently, society has a way of making you guarded, hostile, and combative. His act was the type of kindness that reverses that protective shell. He was proof that people’s natural inclination is to be kind, a trait I cherish in other people.