Mugged: To be attacked and robbed in a public area.
On the morning of April 27, 2021, I was on my way to meet a friend for our daily morning walk. It was 6:15 a.m.; the day was bright, and I saw many people around me, either walking, cycling, or going about their daily chores.
As I neared my meeting point, a motorbike cruised next to me. It appeared like the rider was looking for an address. I didn’t think too much about it, just moved a little away without slowing down my brisk pace. Till he caught up with me again. This time, it made me cautious, but I was unperturbed, as I was in Mumbai and surrounded by many people.
I continued walking when, suddenly, I was struck on my right shoulder. I turned back to look what it was, and before I could, I felt strong hands grasping my wrist and twisting it painfully. I didn’t understand what was happening, but I tightened my grip on the mobile phone I was holding. A man was twisting my wrist and trying to tug my phone out of my hands, but I refused to let go. He twisted it even further, and that caused a shot of pain to reach my shoulder.
Though I didn’t want to let go, my instinct kicked in and I eased my grip on the phone. The man yanked it away and sprinted forward to sit pillion on a bike revved up and waiting for him. The same bike that was pretending to look for an address as it trailed me.
I stood rooted on the spot as they sped away. That’s when it sunk in that I had just been mugged.
I took a deep breath, collected myself, and after meeting my friend, we both went straight to the Police station. I lodged a complaint, identified both the phone snatchers on the CCTV footage, and went home.
It was only after I had showered and was alone that the reality of what I had been through sank in. I got the chills when it did.
As I recapped what I had been through, I began to feel violated. I imagined what could have happened. I could have been hurt. They could have gravely injured me (an acquaintance was mugged similarly 3 days later at the same spot. After they snatched her phone, she was pushed and hit her head on the pavement. She thankfully recovered).
A painkiller took care of the pain in my shoulder and wrist, but these thoughts kept whirling in my head. I dared to ask myself what my last moments would have been like. Would I have been happy about a life well-lived, or would I have realized that there was so much I had left undone?
My answer was that my last moments would have been unhappy ones filled with regret. Another big realization was that we never know which moment or day on earth will be our last. The best moment is the one now. I had not used the gift of life fully or wisely, and it was time I did.
I am fond of repeating this line. ‘The Universe whispers to us all the time, and when you don’t listen, it screams.’ This incident was a scream from the Universe, as I had been ignoring the whispers for a long time now.
If you learn from a mistake, it is no longer a mistake; it becomes a lesson. Getting mugged was the lesson I needed, and from that day forward, I began reshaping the pieces of my life to give it a new direction.
What did I do? Stay tuned to find out!
Till then, stay safe, take care of yourself, and when the Universe whispers, listen. Don’t make it scream.
This incident is sad and scary. These are like eye openers which make us value our life and blessings.
Thanks for reading, Ghazala.
That’s a very deep message. Provokes one to be thoughtful of what they’re doing on a daily basis. I am also curious to know did police do anything about it?
Thank you, Raghav. The police were unable to find my phone.
What a scary incident it was. I agree with you that such events have some positive sides as well. They’re happened in our lives in order change our perspective towards life.
Thank you, Shreemayee.
It was scary when you shared about it the first weeks back, Mayuri. It is equally scary reading about it now. It is often experiences like these that make us realize that we spend too much time fretting over small things. Trying to live a “perfect” life.
Thank you, Ritu,
The situation anyone would not want to be in. Horrific. Waiting hear the next chapter…
Thank you, Mehul.
I remember the first time you posted about this on Instagram. It gave me goosebumps then. It gives me goosebumps now. Men behave with impunity while women are blamed for the crime. The fact that you have chosen to learn from it and let it go instead of scaring you into giving up your morning walks is commendable.
Thank you, Satabdi. I no longer like the taste of fear.
Really a scary situation but with a clear message. And yes agreed, a mistake becomes a lesson if you learn from it.
Thank you, Smita.
It was really scary. Yes, this incident teach us many things. Thanks for the message.
Thank you, Neeta.
Scary! Appreciating that you have learnt a lesson from it, the incident seems to be one of those that remind us to be careful. Agree that life is too short to regret small things. But, the scars should be small enough not to leave deep impressions.
Thank you, Aditi.
I am happy to know you are okay. Such instances happen all too often now. Women are not safe anywhere. I love how you don’t let things put you down but actually share lessons from them. God bless you.
Thank you, Madhu ji.
Scary incident. But so glad you are fine. And you are absolutely right….it is when you think you are at some major crossroad in life or faced with a chance where it could be your last day, you look back at your life and see how some things could be done differently. This is one of the reasons why I always pickup phone calls even at odd hours at night – you never know who is reaching out and for reason. It may be the last chance to speak with them.
Thank you, Vasumathi.
A lesson well learnt, Mayuri. But never resist or fight back. It is not worth it. Just let them take what they want and let them go. Years ago I was on a cycle rickshaw and two guys on a bike snatched the chain from my neck. I had a big gash. I dunno how mindful I should be about life! Life has been giving me so many shocks that I no longer have any love for living. My husband went suddenly and now my son. Is there anything to live for every moment? I am looking for answers
Sorry to hear that, Harjeet. Wishing you peace and healing.
I truly believe that our 6th sense gives us hints but most of the time we ignore it. It is good that you are safe and bravely faced the situation. Waiting for the next post.
Thank you, Bhawna.
These incidents are so scary and painful. My husband has been mugged in the same way and I was so thankful that he was not hurt in any manner and the snatchers just took away his phone. Hope you have also recovered well.
I have recovered, Shail. Thank you.
This is such a thought provoking article, The incident should have been scary but, I liked the way you took it so positively instead of cursing about the incident or government or anybody else. Sending hugs for you.
Thank you, Pooja.
Agree ‘The best moment is the one now. ‘ I am glad you are okay Mayuri. Thank you for reminding me again to live every moment of our life to the fullest. I always look forward to reading your articles.
Thank you, Abha.
It is really scary incident. Police should be prompt enough to take care of these culprits as they are growing rapidly and can be deathly harmful at any time. Hope you are ok now?
I have recovered completely, Pamela. Thank you.
I understand that it would have been traumatic and taken a while to recover. The situation also did give the opportunity to understand the lesson that was to be taught to us
Yes, it was.
Its really scary incident Mayuri. Even I was mugged and they pulled my earring away at Pondy Bazzar one day.
Yes, it is really scary, Suhasini. Stay safe.
This sounds super scary. Glad you weren’t hurt worse. Sometimes, caution and letting go is a better part of the valour.
Thanks so true, Lavanya. Thank you for reading.
Oh my goodness! I did read about you being caught in an accident on your IG stories (I am sorry, I can’t remember clearly now) and your followers enquiring about your wellbeing, Mayuri, but I wasn’t aware it was this serious a thing! I am glad you are safe.
You are so right. The universe does scream when we pay no heed to its constant whispers. I have experienced it and learned my lessons. Life is in this moment. The rest is all a mirage. Sadly, though, we do tend to forget this truth most days and carry on living in some different time zone, totally ignorant about the gift of today.
Gosh Mayuri, for a moment you had me wondering if this was a work of fiction because you’ve written in such a beautifully descriptive manner. I’m glad that you weren’t hurt and that you chose to be positive after this incident. I too have been robbed (though thankfully not mugged) twice when I lived in London – and there is indeed a lesson to be learnt through these experiences.
Thank you, Noor. Yes, everything can be a learning experience if we choose to make it one.