In Such Poor Health I Couldn’t Walk When a Man Practically Supported Me to a Restroom.

During my nineteenth year, my morning travel meant taking an packed public transport. It was perpetually crowded and would always be completely full by the time I stepped aboard.

On one specific day, I began feeling terribly ill when the coach rocked around every turn. I continuously reassured myself to endure another few kilometres before the bus got to where I needed to get off, so I could then make a mad dash toward the most convenient public toilet to be sick.

The bus was approaching the avenue close to my stop and I realised I wasn’t going to make it. In an instant, it seemed a veil came over me. My vision turned white and really quiet; as if someone turned off the audio. I thought, “I’m going to faint”.

Thankfully, I was positioned close to the driver inside the vehicle, allowing me to take a few steps to ask the driver and asked the driver to stop, informing him I was going to vomit. The driver opened the doors and I stumbled out on to the pavement.

I was resolved to not get sick in view 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 I could at least discreetly hide behind a bush to throw up. However I apparently fainted. I was aware of my physical self, yet I was unable to walk or see properly, so I began inching my way to the grassy area.

“Everything alright, love?”

In that instant, I was lifted up. I felt an arm around my waist and a man’s voice asked, “Everything alright, love?” I managed to tell the unknown man that I required to get to a bathroom. Therefore, he almost supported my weight into an adjacent building and guided me inside the women’s restroom. He inquired if I needed him to stay with me but I refused.

A few minutes later, I had recovered sufficiently to sit on the toilet when from beyond the stall I heard his voice asking, “Are you OK, love? Do you need anything?” I could not to stand up at that moment but did manage to thank him and shortly thereafter was able to move my feet. I made my way home passing the next few days healing from what was later diagnosed as a severe stomach virus.

I never glimpsed his features – just his lower half and a large container for tools he had with him – but he saved me, at a moment I was at my most vulnerable.

Frequently, society can make you self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. His act was the type of kindness that melts away that hardening of the heart. He served as evidence that humanity’s innate tendency is towards kindness, a trait I cherish about humanity.