Well, I never thought a total stranger could help turn a terrible day into one that would make me laugh and stay with me for a long time. It was about this time last year. I was running late for my project defense and file submission. I ran with my bad swinging by my side, my show coming off and my phone buzzing non stop with both calls and messages. I didn’t even have time to read, I was just trying to rush over.
I got to the main road and the traffic I saw was intense and for the first time I wished I had wings. I stopped a bike, boarded it and it tried navigating it's way to my destination. Immediately I stepped down from the bike, my shoe slipped.... completely, it had rained the night before and everywhere was muddy. My note flung off, my bag dropped, and I was already moved to tears even with the embarrassment.
Out of nowhere, a young man in his mid thirties showed up, he was very well dressed as if going for an interview. He rushed towards me and asked, "ah, you good?” He tried hiding his smile as well as my situation was laughable. I nodded, feeling embarrassed, I tried standing up so I could wipe myself a bit, but he helped me up. He asked me to follow him to his car parked very nearby, I looked at him amazed. But then, what can I do. We went to the side of his car, and h handed me a towel to wipe myself. He also checked and found a sandal, asked me to try it on and it fit perfectly. I couldn't even talk, I was just wondering...This guy didn't even know me, yet he's treating me in such ba kind way.
Then, as if thay wasn't enough. He picked up my file bag and helped wipe it, then he asked if I had any wound, and I said, “Nothing serious.” He looked at me, and asked dif I was going inside the school, I said yes. He offered to take drop me, I looked at him somehow confused, but then, Injist laugh, cause it still looks somehow to me... he joined in the laughter as well and for the first time in weeks, I forgot about my project. We zoomed off, he asked for my name when I was about to alight, I told him and thanked him genuinely.
I arrived at the defense hall late, I tried making my way to the front, I begged the lecturers and told them something came up, but they wouldn't have it. Someone begged for me and said, they should allow me, and on stepping to the front to speak the little I know, I met face to face with him. The man who pleaded for me to be allowed, was the man who helped me. He was the external supervisor in charge of my project. He smiled at me and I had a little bit of confidence.
Kindness doesn’t need a reason, and there are times it comes from people you can't even reward. There are times it comes from just a random person, like the man who helped me. I think about him every time. That stranger made me smile, and help turn what should have been a ruined/bad day into a story I now tell with pride. I will never forget him, not because of the sandals, the lift or anything, but because he proved that even strangers can show you kindness.
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