[RTS] Sat on MRT Floor

April 30, 2010.  It was a Friday night.  We just got paid.  Aly and Chica, my co-interns, had waffles for dinner at Flapjacks in Glorietta.  Throw in a couple of margaritas and say we had an awesome Friday night out.  We decided to call it a night around 9 PM so we could still get home using the train.

Ayala MRT station.  Past 9 o'clock.  The crowds have gone home and we didn't have to wait for 600 trains to arrive before we could board.  We were far from bored.  Just a little bit tired from work, I guess.  We got in the first train compartment that arrived in the station.  Most seats were already occupied, but the compartment wasn't as crowded as it was a few hours ago.  In fact, it wasn't crowded at all.  And we took advantage of that when we decided to sit down on the floor.  But we got up after 4 stations when the compartment started accumulating more people.

My friends and I on the train floor

It was a great experience overall.  You don't get to sit on the seats of the MRT as often as you should, but when you do, you're usually alone.  It's hard to find space to accommodate more than 1 person.  But we did the impossible, my friends and I.  The 3 of us were able to sit on the MRT.  Just not on the chairs.

[RTS] Raced for a Seat

Late 2010.

Eka and I have just visited our former high school a stone's throw away from the LRT-2 Gilmore Station.  We were en route to Katipunan because we had class in the afternoon.

I had two, thick history books with me: Abinales and Amoroso 2005, and Agoncillo 1987.  My backpack was very heavy and my shoulders were aching from carrying it around all morning.  I wanted to sit down even just for a short while.  A short train ride while.

There weren't that many people boarding the train at Gilmore.  I'd say it was around 10 AM that time.  There weren't supposed to be that many people riding the LRT as well.  A few minutes after waiting, the train arrived.  As it was speeding down the platform, my eyes were swiftly scanning the transparent windows and praying for as much empty seats as possible.  Unfortunately, there were not that many left.

The train stopped.  I saw a space good for two, but it wasn't immediately near our point of entry.  By our neighboring door was a couple.  A man and a woman both with long hair stood a few meters away from us.  Away from our seats.

The train doors opened.  Without thinking, without hesitation, I ran.  I ran as fast as I could to get that sitting space I have long coveted.  Never mind the people staring.  Never mind the couple who will be left to stand as I sit in my rightful throne.  Never mind Eka, who didn't run as fast as I.  Eka, who didn't even run at all.  With that, I righteously slammed my backpack down the space I claimed.  The space good for two.  But this aggressive act did not stop the lady with long hair from sitting down on the uncovered, unmarked spot.

I was out of breath, out of luck, and for the lack of better words, disappointed.  Panting with knees bent and head bowed, I questioningly looked at the girl.  And then to the boy.  And the boy, with as much contempt as his hair was long, had the nerve to offer my seat to me.  My bag was a sign of my claim over that space.  In the animal world, I practically peed all over that space.  And here is the boy with the long hair giving me my seat.

I was proud and I didn't want him to think that he did an act of kindness today.  So I declined his offer and just let my heavy backpack sit on the seat.  I remained standing, raised my head up (but just a little) and proclaimed that my bag was just heavy and I'm fine with standing.  And I just stood there in front of my bag.  Feet apart, forming a wide base for maximum balance, and basically one with the shaking movements of the train.

After all this, I actually forgot about Eka.  Right.  I wasn't alone.  With my eyes, I looked for her.  Upon making initial eye contact, I hoped we were still friends and she hasn't disowned me yet.