Feeling So Sick Walking Was Impossible Until a Fellow Passenger Practically Supported Me to a Bathroom.

Back when I was 19 years old, my morning travel meant taking an express bus. It was perpetually crowded and invariably became completely full by the time I boarded.

During a certain commute, I began feeling terribly ill as the bus swayed around the bends. I kept telling myself to endure just a little longer until the bus reached my destination, at which point I could sprint quickly to the closest washroom to throw up.

As we neared the road leading to the stop when I understood I wasn’t going to make it. In an instant, it felt as if a fog descended upon me. The world became hazy and muffled; like someone had cut the sound. I thought, “I will lose consciousness”.

Fortunately, I stood toward the front inside the vehicle, allowing me to take several steps forward and asked the driver to stop, informing him I needed to get ill. He promptly opened the doors and I stumbled out on to the pavement.

I was resolved not to vomit before a busy multi-lane road, so I forced myself up and endeavored to make my way toward the green space on the other side, where I thought I’d at least be able to find some privacy among some shrubs to throw up. Yet I likely blacked out. I was aware of my physical self, yet I couldn’t walk or see clearly, so I began crawling towards the grassy area.

“Everything alright, love?”

At that moment, I got scooped up. I sensed an arm around my waist and heard a man say, “You right, love?” I told this unknown man that I required to vomit. Thus, he practically helped me walk down into a nearby building and guided me into the female bathroom. He asked me if I wanted him to wait for me but I said no.

A few minutes later, I regained my composure to the point of sitting down when from beyond the door came his voice asking, “Do you need anything, love? Is there anything you require?” I was incapable to rise just then but I did succeed to express my gratitude and shortly thereafter regained the function of my feet. I made my way home passing the next few days getting over what turned out to be a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I never saw that man’s face – merely his legs and the big container for tools he was carrying – but he saved me, when I was in my weakest state.

Often this world can make you defensive, aggressive and competitive. His was the sort of gesture that melts away that protective shell. He demonstrated that our default setting leans toward compassion, a trait I cherish about humanity.