Black out

Once I was on holiday in a foreign capital with a friend, who got ill; after I took her to a doctor and she was diagnosed with an acute ear infection, she called her mother; her mother, being thousands of miles away, could not do anything about it. I remember thinking: why worry her? Better keep quiet.

Today I passed out in the street.
One minute I was fine, hopping onto a bus to go to the airport to greet my friend; the next I started to feel uncomfortable, hot, queasy, and decided to get off the bus and walk a little – only to find that my feet would not carry me further; a great wave overcame me and I lost consciousness. I don’t know for how long I lied on the ground while people were passing me by, no doubt in fear. I came to, tried to stand up; a lady was standing at the bus stop, looking away; I remember asking her to not leave me alone, and passed out again. Next thing I knew she had called an ambulance and asking me if I was drunk or diabetic or on drugs. All this time, I was faintly aware of people getting on and off buses around me. Finally, a man from a nearby restaurant came out and supported me into his place. Then a young gum-chewing paramedic appeared – I felt so, so silly, taking up his time, creating havoc, and thinking that I would never make it to the airport by 12.30.

I’m home finally, a bit shaken.. I’m fighting the urge to call my mother; after all, there is nothing she can do about it.