Feeling So Sick Walking Was Impossible Until a Fellow Passenger Essentially Lifted Me to a Restroom.
At the age of my late teens, my regular journey to work involved an packed public transport. It remained crowded and invariably became without any seats when I boarded.
On one specific day, I started experiencing quite nauseous while the vehicle rocked around each corner. I kept telling myself to persevere another few kilometres before the bus reached my destination, so I could then sprint quickly for the nearest public toilet to be sick.
The bus was approaching the road leading to my stop and I understood I was unable to hold on. All of a sudden, it felt as if a curtain fell over me. Everything just went hazy and muffled; similar to when one turned off the audio. I thought, “I will lose consciousness”.
Fortunately, I stood toward the front on the bus, allowing me to take a few steps forward and told the operator to open the doors, explaining to him I was going to be sick. He promptly opened the entrance and I hurriedly stepped on to the pavement.
I was resolved to avoid being sick in front of six lanes of traffic, so I picked myself up and started trying to make my way toward the green space opposite the street, where I believed it would allow me to find some privacy behind a bush to throw up. But then I likely blacked out. I could feel my body but I was unable to walk or see properly, so I started dragging myself toward the park.
“You right, love?”
At that moment, I got scooped up. I felt an arm around my waist and a man’s voice asked, “You right, love?” I managed to tell the mysterious stranger that I required to get to a bathroom. Thus, he practically supported my weight down into an adjacent building and put me into the female bathroom. He wanted to know if I needed him to remain with me but I said no.
Not long after, I regained my composure enough to sit on the toilet and from the other side of the door came his voice asking, “Are you feeling better, dear? Is there anything you require?” I wasn’t able to stand up just then but I was able to express my gratitude and following a brief period was able to move my legs. I returned home passing the next few days healing from what was later diagnosed as a nasty tummy bug.
I never glimpsed his features – only his legs and a large steelwork tools container he held – yet he rescued me, when I was at my most vulnerable.
Often this world can make you defensive, aggressive and competitive. His act was the type of kindness that melts away that emotional callousness. He demonstrated that people’s natural inclination is towards kindness, a quality I adore about my fellow humans.
