Almost!

September 26, a rainy day because of a typhoon. And the day I ALMOST lost my phone.

I take the MRT everyday from Shaw to Ayala. I have been doing this routine for more than a year already. I am pretty much aware of the different scenes that you typically encounter on a daily basis, commuters packed like sardines, petty fights because they were pushed, construction people saying to the word that they don't take baths and of course pickpockets.

When I got into the train, it was not as crowded as it normally is on a Monday morning at 8am. Probably because of the typhoon. I usually stay near the doors so I can easily get out and not push myself out of the train. So I got inside and stood near the middle of the two doors where the hand rails are. A small dark guy stood right next to me. Nothing unusual. The train started moving and it seems as if they guy is losing his balance so he kept on reach for the hand rails. I didn't mind this much since I do know it is difficult sometimes to have balance on a moving train. There was still some space to the other side of the guy but he chose to stand near me, again still fine with me.

The train the reached Guadalupe station. There's usually a handful of commuters who get of at this station so I thought that the guy might alight here. And I was right. When the train stopped, he started moving. He probably doesn't know that I can feel my cellphone pretty well inside my pocket. I mean common, I have a big phone so it can easily be felt eventhough it's really thin. The second he started to move, I felt that my phone was no longer there. I didn't even think of what I am going to do.

I instantly grabbed the man's arm and said "Boss, cellphone ko!" Anyone who knows me know that I have a loud voice so that caught some attention on the train. The guy still would not give my phone back and was still trying to walk away. I on the other hand had no intention of letting go of his arm. I guess the guy was fearful that he might cause a commotion and get mobbed by the commuters so he suddenly dropped my phone to the floor and exited the train just in time as the door closed. I picked up and phone and was relieved that I was able to get it back!

By this time the other commuters inside were asking me what happened. When I told them what I had just done they told me that they were actually wondering why the guys was so insistent in standing really close to me when there was ample space at the other side of the train. They then suggested that I should have punched the guy and they would all do the same so he will learn his lesson. As for me my first priority then was to get my phone back. Given the time, I probably would have exited the train and chased the guy. I believe that it would still be a safe option since we were still inside the mrt station and there are guards there. But if ever it was outside, I wouldn't bother chasing after the guy.

So the I eventually got of at the Ayala Station. My heart was still pumping a bit faster than usual because of what happened. I was happy that I was able to get my phone back and was also reminded that I have to be extra careful next time. What if I was delayed even for a second or two in noticing that my phone was missing? I could have lost a phone that I have been using barely for three months then!

When I got to work, I told my teammates about what happened. They were a bit surprised since I started of my story with my usual smile. They were like, "why are you smiling when you were just a victim of a pickpocket?" But when they heard the whole story they knew exactly why I can still smile.

So this can serve as a reminder to everyone including myself to be extra vigilant. Specially now that we are in the Ber-Months already. Keep safe everyone!