In Such Poor Health I Was Unable to Walk Until a Fellow Passenger Practically Supported Me to a Restroom.

During my 19 years old, my daily commute involved an express bus. The vehicle was always full and would always be standing room only once I stepped aboard.

One particular morning, I was feeling terribly ill while the vehicle rocked around every turn. I kept telling myself to hold on another few kilometres until the bus reached where I needed to get off, so I could then make a mad dash for the nearest washroom to be sick.

The bus was approaching the road leading to the destination as I understood I wasn’t going to make it. Suddenly, it felt as if a fog descended upon me. My vision turned blank and silent; similar to when one turned off the audio. I thought, “I am about to pass out”.

Thankfully, I was positioned toward the front of the bus, allowing me to take a couple of steps toward the driver and requested that the driver to open the doors, explaining to him I was going to be sick. He promptly opened the doors and I hurriedly stepped onto the sidewalk.

I was determined to not get sick before multiple lanes of cars, so I gathered myself and began attempting to walk across to the park on the other side, where I thought I could at least secretly conceal myself near some foliage to throw up. But then I likely lost consciousness. I sensed my body but I was unable to walk or see properly, leading me to start crawling towards the grassy area.

“Are you okay, dear?”

In that instant, someone picked me up. I sensed a strong arm supporting me and a man’s voice asked, “Everything alright, love?” I told this kind passerby that I required to be sick. Therefore, he almost helped me walk over to a nearby building and guided me inside the women’s restroom. He asked me if I wanted him to stay with me but I refused.

Not long after, I had recovered to the point of sitting on the toilet when from beyond the door came him inquire, “Are you feeling better, dear? Do you need anything?” I could not to get up at that moment but did manage to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes was able to move my feet. I made my way home passing the following days healing from what turned out to be a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I did not see his features – merely his legs and a large container for tools he had with him – but he saved me, at a moment 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 hardening of the heart. He was proof that our default setting leans toward compassion, a trait I cherish in other people.