In Such Poor Health I Was Unable to Walk Until a Fellow Passenger Practically Supported Me to the Toilets.

During my 19 years old, my morning travel involved an crowded coach. The vehicle was always jammed and invariably became standing room only by the time I got on.

One particular morning, I was feeling terribly ill while the vehicle lurched around every turn. I repeatedly told myself to hold on just a little longer until the bus got to my destination, at which point I could sprint quickly for the nearest public restroom to vomit.

We were coming down the street towards the destination as it dawned on me I was unable to hold on. In an instant, it felt as if a fog descended upon me. Everything just went blank and silent; as if someone muted everything. I thought, “I am about to pass out”.

Fortunately, I stood toward the front inside the vehicle, so I managed a few steps toward the driver and requested that the driver to stop, informing him I was going to get ill. He promptly opened the entrance and I stumbled out on to the pavement.

I was resolved to avoid being sick in view of multiple lanes of cars, so I gathered myself and endeavored to stumble to the park on the other side, thinking I could I’d at least be able to secretly conceal myself behind a bush to vomit. However I likely blacked out. I was aware of my body but I was unable to walk or see properly, so I started inching my way to the park.

“Are you okay, dear?”

In that instant, someone picked me up. There was an arm around my waist and a man’s voice asked, “You right, love?” I told this unknown man that I required to vomit. Thus, he practically helped me walk over to an adjacent building and put me into the female bathroom. He inquired whether I required him to remain with me but I declined.

Not long after, I regained my composure sufficiently to sit on the restroom floor and from outside the door I heard his voice asking, “Are you feeling better, dear? Do you need anything?” I wasn’t able to get up at that moment but I did succeed to thank him and shortly thereafter recovered the use of my limbs. I got myself home and then spent the following days recovering from what turned out to be a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I did not see that man’s face – merely his legs and the big container for tools he was carrying – but he saved me, at a moment I was in my weakest state.

Often this world tends to make people self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. His act was the type of kindness that undoes that emotional callousness. He served as evidence that people’s natural inclination leans toward compassion, a trait I cherish about my fellow humans.