It happened the day before the mid-term exam.

In the PE class that day, I took the 800-metre running test. It so exhausted me that my head ached a bit. I did not think it was a big deal, though.

Class over, I headed to the canteen with three other girls, Kevin, Yuyang and Kun. We opted for our favourite dining room on the fourth floor, where we ordered a spicy hotpot to treat ourselves to after the physical exertion. While waiting for the meal with the girls, all of a sudden, I was gripped with a terrible sensation. My eyesight was failing. Everything around was discolouring. Dizziness was overcoming me. I knew the feeling too well. It had struck me before. Chances were that I was going to faint again.

Quickly I sat myself down and rested against the table. In a short while, I started to sweat profusely. Meanwhile, there was a sick feeling in my guts. Alarmed, the three girls tried to make me comfortable, but it was in vain. Next, I found I could not see anything or anybody around. I tried to open my eyes, but it did not work. I attempted to stir, but my legs rebelled. Then I blacked out.

As I came to, I found myself lying supine on the floor at the staircase, surrounded by Yuyang, Lele, Xinglin and Sisi. Still I could not move. Afterwards, I was told that it was Yuyang and Sisi who had attempted to haul me down the stairs, but they could not make it, even with the help of a dinner lady and an anonymous student. Seeing me regaining consciousness, Lele put a candy in my mouth. A while later, I felt stronger and struggled to my feet. Yuyang and Lele helped me down the stairs with each of them propping me up on my sides.

After we exited the canteen, the two girls helped me to make slowly for the infirmary. On the way, Kevin, Xinglin and Kun caught up, and they brought me a meal from the canteen. With some treatment and a good rest at the infirmary, I was back on my feet by the time afternoon classes began.

As a Chinese saying goes, if trouble props up at one corner, help will pour in from all quarters. My experience proves it. I feel so lucky that steadfast friends stuck with me when the crisis hit. And complete strangers offered their hands. Thank you all, Lele, Sisi, Kevin, Xinglin and Kun. I also owe my immense gratitude to the dinner lady and the anonymous schoolmate, both of whom went out of their ways to aid me amidst the emergency. Without you guys’ help, I could have perished then and there.