Feeling So Sick Walking Was Impossible When a Man Practically Supported Me to the Toilets.
At the age of my late teens, my morning travel involved an crowded coach. It was perpetually crowded and would always be completely full once I boarded.
One particular morning, I began feeling quite nauseous while the vehicle swayed around each corner. I continuously reassured myself to persevere just a little longer until the bus reached where I needed to get off, and then I could make a mad dash to the closest washroom to vomit.
As we neared the avenue close to the stop when I understood I was unable to last. In an instant, it felt as if a fog descended upon me. The world became hazy and muffled; as if someone turned off the audio. My mind raced, “I’m going to faint”.
Fortunately, I stood toward the front of the bus, allowing me to take several steps toward the driver and asked the driver to pull over, informing him that I was about to be sick. The driver opened the bus doors and I hurriedly stepped out onto the street.
I was resolved to not get sick in view of six lanes of traffic, so I picked myself up and endeavored to walk to the park on the other side, where I thought I could at least secretly conceal myself behind a bush to be sick. Yet I apparently blacked out. I sensed my physical self, yet walking was impossible or see clearly, so I started inching my way to the park.
“You right, love?”
In that instant, someone picked me up. There was a strong arm supporting me and heard a man say, “Everything alright, love?” I told this mysterious stranger that I required to be sick. Therefore, he almost carried me down into a nearby building and put me inside the women’s restroom. He wanted to know if I needed him to stay with me but I declined.
Not long after, I felt better enough to sit down and from the other side of the stall I heard him inquire, “Are you feeling better, dear? Do you need anything?” I was incapable to stand up just then but did manage to thank him and after a few more minutes recovered the use of my legs. I made my way home passing the next few days recovering from what turned out to be a severe stomach virus.
I did not see that man’s face – only his legs along with a sizable metal toolbox he held – but he saved me, during a time when I was in my weakest state.
Often this world has a way of making you guarded, hostile, and combative. His was the sort of gesture that reverses that emotional callousness. He served as evidence that humanity’s innate tendency is to be kind, something I love about my fellow humans.
