Feeling So Sick Walking Was Impossible When a Man Essentially Lifted Me to a Restroom.

Back when I was 19 years old, my regular journey to work involved an packed public transport. The vehicle was always full and invariably became standing room only by the time I boarded.

One particular morning, I was feeling incredibly sick while the vehicle lurched around the bends. I continuously reassured myself to persevere another few kilometres until the bus got to my stop, and then I could make a mad dash for the nearest public restroom to vomit.

We were coming down the road leading to the stop when I realised I wasn’t going to last. In an instant, it felt as if a veil came over me. The world became blank and silent; like someone had cut the sound. I thought, “I’m going to faint”.

Fortunately, I stood toward the front inside the vehicle, so I managed a few steps toward the driver and asked the driver to stop, informing him that I was about to vomit. He promptly opened the doors and I weakly exited on to the pavement.

I was resolved to avoid being sick in view of six lanes of traffic, so I gathered myself and endeavored to make my way across to the park opposite the street, where I thought I’d at least be able to secretly conceal myself near some foliage to vomit. But then I likely fainted. I was aware of my body but I was unable to walk or see properly, leading me to start crawling towards the grassy area.

“You right, love?”

Right then, I was lifted up. I sensed an arm around my waist and a stranger inquired, “Everything alright, love?” I managed to tell the unknown man that I required to be sick. Thus, he practically supported my weight down into a close-by structure and put me in the ladies’ toilets. He asked me if I needed him to remain with me but I declined.

After a short while, I had recovered enough to sit on the restroom floor when from beyond the door I heard his voice asking, “Are you OK, love? Do you need anything?” I could not to stand up just then but I did succeed to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes regained the function of my legs. I returned home passing several days recovering from what was later diagnosed as a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I never saw the stranger’s face – only his legs along with a sizable metal toolbox he held – yet he rescued me, when I was completely helpless.

Frequently, society has a way of making you guarded, hostile, and combative. His was the sort of gesture that reverses that emotional callousness. He demonstrated that our default setting leans toward compassion, a trait I cherish about humanity.