Hello readers, at the outset let me tell you that the events which I'm about to recount have actually happened in real life to me. Only names have been changed.
It was the spring of 2011 and I was working with the franchise division of a company. I often had to travel for my job, even to remote places. I would be there for a day or two at the max, with little time to take in the sights and sounds.
The incident occurred when I was on one such visit, to a scenic town in the north east part of India.
I had finished my discussion with the franchise partner fairly early that day. As I stepped out of the office, the chilly weather outside greeted me. I wasn't cold. In fact, I was quite enjoying the cool air and decided to take a stroll in the vicinity, enjoying the lovely weather. I had been walking for about 5 minutes or so, looking here and there with a tourist's curiosity when my eyes fell on a small board with the writing, "Ayurvedic Massage" and a directional arrow. Curious, I wandered into the narrow lane. Shortly I came upon a house with the same sign posted in its door.
A middle aged man and a young beautiful girl greeted me. The man was tall and well built, deeply tanned. He had a kind face which looked like a sage. He was wearing a shirt and a white dhoti. The girl was very fair with soft features like most people in North Eastern India. She was dressed in some traditional dress with a long skirt. The ushered me onto the small reception. I was made comfortable on a sofa where the man handed me a card with the various options for ayurvedic treatment explained in it along with the prices. I told him that I was just looking for a relaxing massage, nothing more. I was not sleeping well as I was travelling a lot.
He smiled kindly and pointed to the first option in the card which said "Rejuvenation Massage". It went on to explain that it was a massage done with hot oil and followed by a steam bath and a shower. I nodded my head in agreement. He spoke very little English, so I just pointed to the option in the card. The man smiled as he said, "Come."