At the age of 19 years old, my daily commute meant taking an express bus. The vehicle was always full and would always be without any seats when I stepped aboard.
On one specific day, I began feeling quite nauseous while the vehicle rocked around each corner. I repeatedly told myself to persevere for a few more stops before the bus got to where I needed to get off, so I could then rush hurriedly to the closest public toilet to vomit.
The bus was approaching the avenue close to the destination as it dawned on me I was unable to last. Suddenly, it seemed a curtain fell over me. The world became white and really quiet; similar to when one cut the sound. My mind raced, “I am about to pass out”.
Luckily I was near the front inside the vehicle, so I managed several steps toward the driver and told the operator to stop, informing him that I was about to be sick. He opened the bus doors and I weakly exited out onto the street.
I was determined not to vomit in view of a busy multi-lane road, so I picked myself up and began attempting to make my way to the park on the other side, where I believed I could at least find some privacy behind a bush to vomit. Yet I likely fainted. I sensed my limbs, but I couldn’t walk or see clearly, leading me to start inching my way to the grassy area.
“Everything alright, love?”
Right then, someone picked me up. I sensed someone holding me and a man’s voice asked, “Everything alright, love?” I told this mysterious stranger that I needed to be sick. Therefore, he almost supported my weight over to a close-by structure and put me into the female bathroom. He inquired if I wanted him to stay with me but I said no.
After a short while, I had recovered to the point of sitting on the toilet and from the other side of the door I heard him inquire, “Are you feeling better, dear? Can I get you something?” I was incapable to rise just then but did manage to say thank you and after a few more minutes regained the function of my feet. I made my way home passing the following days recovering from which was a nasty tummy bug.
I never saw that man’s face – only his legs and a large steelwork tools container he held – but he helped me, when I was completely helpless.
Many times, life tends to make people guarded, hostile, and combative. His was the sort of gesture that melts away that hardening of the heart. He demonstrated that people’s natural inclination leans toward compassion, a quality I adore in other people.
A geospatial analyst with over a decade of experience in terrain modeling and environmental data visualization.
