During my my late teens, my regular journey to work involved an packed public transport. The vehicle was always crowded and invariably became completely full when I got on.
During a certain commute, I started experiencing quite nauseous while the vehicle lurched around each corner. I repeatedly told myself to hold on for a few more stops before the bus got to my destination, so I could then make a mad dash to the closest public restroom to throw up.
The bus was approaching the road leading to my stop and it dawned on me I was unable to hold on. Suddenly, it felt as if a veil came over me. Everything just went blank and silent; similar to when one turned off the audio. I said to myself, “I’m going to faint”.
Fortunately, I stood toward the front inside the vehicle, so I managed a couple of steps forward and requested that the driver to pull over, explaining to him that I was about to vomit. He opened the doors and I stumbled out out onto the street.
I was determined not to vomit before multiple lanes of cars, so I forced myself up and began attempting to stumble toward the green space opposite the street, where I believed I could at least secretly conceal myself among some shrubs to be sick. However I likely fainted. I was aware of my body but walking was impossible and my vision was blurry, so I began dragging myself toward the grassy area.
“You right, love?”
In that instant, I was lifted up. There was an arm around my waist and a stranger inquired, “Everything alright, love?” I told this mysterious stranger that I required to get to a bathroom. Thus, he practically supported my weight into an adjacent building and placed me inside the women’s restroom. He asked me if I wanted him to wait for me but I declined.
After a short while, I felt better enough to sit down and from the other side of the door I heard him ask, “Are you OK, love? Do you need anything?” I wasn’t able to get up at that moment but I did succeed to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes was able to move my feet. I got myself home and spent the next few days healing from which was a horrible case of gastroenteritis.
I never saw that man’s face – just his lower half and the big metal toolbox he had with him – but he helped me, when I was at my most vulnerable.
Often this world has a way of making you guarded, hostile, and combative. What he did was the kind of action that undoes that hardening of the heart. He served as evidence that people’s natural inclination is towards kindness, a quality I adore about my fellow humans.
