Feeling So Sick I Was Unable to Walk When a Man Essentially Lifted Me to a Restroom.
During my my late teens, my regular journey to work meant taking an express bus. It remained crowded and was consistently completely full by the time I got on.
On one specific day, I started experiencing incredibly sick as the bus lurched around every turn. I kept telling myself to endure just a little longer so the bus could arrived at my stop, so I could then rush hurriedly toward the most convenient public restroom to vomit.
The bus was approaching the road leading to the stop when it dawned on me I would not be to hold on. Suddenly, it was like a curtain fell over me. My vision turned blank and silent; as if someone cut the sound. My mind raced, “I am about to pass out”.
Luckily I was close to the driver of the bus, so I managed a couple of steps forward and asked the driver to stop, telling him that I was about to get ill. He promptly opened the doors and I weakly exited onto the sidewalk.
I was resolved to not get sick in view of a busy multi-lane road, so I forced myself up and endeavored to make my way to the park on the other side, where I thought I’d at least be able to discreetly hide behind a bush to vomit. However I apparently fainted. I was aware of my body but walking was impossible 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, “You right, love?” I explained to this mysterious stranger that I required to vomit. Therefore, he almost helped me walk into a nearby building and put me in the ladies’ toilets. He wanted to know if I needed him to stay with me but I said no.
After a short while, I felt better sufficiently to sit on the toilet when from beyond the door I heard his voice asking, “Are you OK, love? Is there anything you require?” I was incapable to stand up right away but did manage to thank him and after a few more minutes was able to move my legs. I got myself home passing several days getting over what was later diagnosed as a horrible case of gastroenteritis.
I did not see that man’s face – merely his legs and a large metal toolbox he held – yet he rescued me, during a time when I was completely helpless.
Often this world tends to make people guarded, hostile, and combative. His act was the type of kindness that reverses that emotional callousness. He demonstrated that humanity’s innate tendency leans toward compassion, something I love about my fellow humans.
