At the age of 19 years old, my daily commute involved an packed public transport. The vehicle was always crowded and would always be standing room only when I boarded.
One particular morning, I was feeling quite nauseous while the vehicle rocked around every turn. I repeatedly told myself to endure just a little longer so the bus could got to where I needed to get off, at which point I could rush hurriedly for the nearest public restroom to throw up.
As we neared the avenue close to the destination as I understood I was unable to make it. All of a sudden, it felt as if a veil came over me. The world became blank and silent; similar to when one turned off the audio. My mind raced, “I will lose consciousness”.
Luckily I was near the front of the bus, allowing me to take a few steps to ask the driver and asked the driver to open the doors, explaining to him that I was about to be sick. He promptly opened the entrance and I hurriedly stepped on to the pavement.
My intention was to not get sick before six lanes of traffic, so I forced myself up and started trying to walk toward the green space on the other side, thinking I could it would allow me to secretly conceal myself near some foliage to throw up. Yet I apparently lost consciousness. I was aware of my physical self, yet I was unable to walk or see properly, so I started inching my way to the park.
“Everything alright, love?”
At that moment, I was lifted up. I felt a strong arm supporting me and a stranger inquired, “Everything alright, love?” I told this unknown man that I required to get to a bathroom. So he virtually supported my weight into a close-by structure and put me in the ladies’ toilets. He wanted to know whether I required him to remain with me but I declined.
After a short while, I regained my composure to the point of sitting on the restroom floor when from beyond the door I heard his voice asking, “Do you need anything, love? Do you need anything?” I wasn’t able to get up at that moment but I did succeed to say thank you and following a brief period was able to move my feet. I made my way home passing the next few days healing from which was a horrible case of gastroenteritis.
I never saw the stranger’s face – only his legs and a large steelwork tools container he was carrying – but he helped me, when I was completely helpless.
Frequently, society tends to make people guarded, hostile, and combative. His was the sort of gesture that reverses that hardening of the heart. He served as evidence that people’s natural inclination is to be kind, a quality I adore about humanity.
A passionate golfer and journalist with over a decade of experience covering PGA tours and equipment innovations.