I Was So Ill Walking Was Impossible Until a Fellow Passenger Practically Supported Me to the Toilets.

At the age of 19 years old, my daily commute meant taking an express bus. It was perpetually full and invariably became without any seats once I stepped aboard.

During a certain commute, I was feeling terribly ill when the coach lurched around each corner. I repeatedly told myself to hold on just a little longer before the bus arrived at where I needed to get off, so I could then rush hurriedly for the nearest washroom to be sick.

The bus was approaching the avenue close to my stop and I understood I was unable to make it. In an instant, it was like a curtain fell over me. The world became blank and silent; similar to when one turned off the audio. I said to myself, “I am about to pass out”.

Thankfully, I was positioned close to the driver on the bus, so I took several steps forward and asked the driver to pull over, informing him I needed to be sick. The driver opened the entrance and I hurriedly stepped on to the pavement.

I was determined not to vomit in view of a busy multi-lane road, so I forced myself up and began attempting to make my way to the park on the other side, thinking I could I’d at least be able to secretly conceal myself near some foliage to throw up. But then I likely fainted. I sensed my physical self, yet walking was impossible and my vision was blurry, so I began crawling towards my intended destination.

“You right, love?”

At that moment, I was lifted up. I sensed an arm around my waist and a stranger inquired, “Are you okay, dear?” I told this unknown man that I needed to be sick. Thus, he practically helped me walk over to an adjacent building and placed me into the female bathroom. He asked me if I wanted him to stay with me but I declined.

Not long after, I regained my composure to the point of sitting on the restroom floor when from beyond the door I heard him inquire, “Are you feeling better, dear? Do you need anything?” I was incapable to stand up just then but I did succeed to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes recovered the use of my legs. I got myself home and spent several days recovering from what turned out to be a severe stomach virus.

I never saw the stranger’s face – just his lower half and the big container for tools he was carrying – but he saved me, during a time when I was completely helpless.

Often this world has a way of making you guarded, hostile, and combative. His act was the type of kindness that undoes that emotional callousness. He was proof that people’s natural inclination is to be kind, a quality I adore in other people.