I Was So Ill I Couldn’t Walk Until a Fellow Passenger Essentially Lifted Me to a Restroom.

Back when I was 19 years old, my morning travel was on an packed public transport. The vehicle was always crowded and was consistently without any seats once I boarded.

During a certain commute, I started experiencing quite nauseous while the vehicle lurched around every turn. I kept telling myself to endure for a few more stops so the bus could reached where I needed to get off, and then I could make a mad dash for the nearest public restroom to vomit.

As we neared the road leading to my stop and it dawned on me I was unable to make it. All of a sudden, it seemed a fog descended upon me. My vision turned blank and silent; like someone had turned off the audio. My mind raced, “I’m going to faint”.

Luckily I was near the front of the bus, allowing me to take a few steps forward and asked the driver to open the doors, informing him I was going to vomit. He opened the entrance and I weakly exited out onto the street.

I was resolved to avoid being sick in view of multiple lanes of cars, so I picked myself up and began attempting to walk across to the park opposite the street, where I thought I could at least secretly conceal myself near some foliage to be sick. However I must have lost consciousness. I sensed my physical self, yet I couldn’t walk or see clearly, so I began dragging myself toward the park.

“Everything alright, love?”

Right then, I was lifted up. I sensed a strong arm supporting me and a man’s voice asked, “Everything alright, love?” I told this kind passerby that I had to to get to a bathroom. Thus, he practically carried me into an adjacent building and guided me inside the women’s restroom. He inquired if I wanted him to stay with me but I said no.

A few minutes later, I felt better to the point of sitting on the restroom floor and from the other side of the stall I heard him inquire, “Are you OK, love? Can I get you something?” I wasn’t able to stand up at that moment but I was able to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes was able to move my legs. I made my way home and spent several days getting over what turned out to be a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I never glimpsed the stranger’s face – only his legs and the big container for tools he had with him – yet he rescued me, at a moment I was at my most vulnerable.

Often this world tends to make people defensive, aggressive and competitive. What he did was the kind of action that undoes that protective shell. He served as evidence that humanity’s innate tendency is to be kind, something I love in other people.