I Was So Ill Walking Was Impossible As a Stranger Essentially Lifted Me to a Bathroom.
Back when I was 19 years old, my morning travel involved an crowded coach. It remained full and would always be completely full when I got on.
One particular morning, I started experiencing quite nauseous while the vehicle rocked around the bends. I repeatedly told myself to persevere for a few more stops before the bus got to my destination, so I could then sprint quickly for the nearest public restroom to throw up.
We were coming down the avenue close to the stop when it dawned on me I was unable to hold on. All of a sudden, it seemed a veil came over me. Everything just went hazy and muffled; similar to when one cut the sound. My mind raced, “I will lose consciousness”.
Fortunately, I stood toward the front on the bus, so I managed a couple of steps to ask the driver and told the operator to pull over, informing him that I was about to be sick. He promptly opened the doors and I weakly exited onto the sidewalk.
My intention was to not get sick in front of a busy multi-lane road, so I picked myself up and endeavored to stumble to the park opposite the street, where I thought I’d at least be able to find some privacy behind a bush to be sick. But then I likely fainted. I could feel my physical self, yet walking was impossible and my vision was blurry, leading me to start inching my way to the grassy area.
“Are you okay, dear?”
Right then, I was lifted up. I felt an arm around my waist and a stranger inquired, “Everything alright, love?” I managed to tell the mysterious stranger that I had to to get to a bathroom. Thus, he practically carried me down into an adjacent building and guided me in the ladies’ toilets. He wanted to know if I wanted him to stay with me but I refused.
After a short while, I felt better to the point of sitting on the toilet and from outside the stall I heard him inquire, “Are you OK, love? Do you need anything?” I was incapable to stand up at that moment but I was able to express my gratitude and following a brief period regained the function of my legs. I got myself home and then spent the next few days getting over what was later diagnosed as a nasty tummy bug.
I never saw the stranger’s face – merely his legs along with a sizable steelwork tools container he had with him – but he saved me, when I was completely helpless.
Frequently, society has a way of making you self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. What he did was the kind of action that undoes that hardening of the heart. He was proof that humanity’s innate tendency is to be kind, a trait I cherish about my fellow humans.
