Jasmine and eucalyptus suffused my imagination, buoying me up into the clouds on fragrant steam. Everything was blood red and weightless. I spied a rivulet of pink among the red and followed its pulsing into the heavens. It began to rain, a warm drop splashed against my bare arm. I moved to collect it with my tongue when another drop...

     With a falling sensation and a thump I found myself slumped over the bathhouse's front counter. I sat bolt upright to look around, sure a patron had found me half asleep. The lobby was blissfully empty. If my luck held, I could close on time and be back home with enough energy to enjoy my night alone.

     Something cool trickled down my arm and dropped to the wood tabletop. I looked down with a groan. Drool everywhere. I snatched a wash towel from the basket on the counter and cleaned up with a few furtive wipes. I had already drawn the short straw having to work the end of St. Valentine's Day and didn't want to embarrass myself more than usual.

     The entire night I had waited on the partnered. All kinds were welcome at the Renuka baths and as inexorably as time moved on, they came in pairs and trios. Visitors came from the few surrounding towns, from the forests and rivers. Humans, spirits, and even lesser gods and goddesses had rested in the house's fragrant waters that day. Some came to celebrate the colonial holiday, but most came to revel in the company of loved ones in a place that felt ancient and pulled out of time.

     With some shame, I had to admit to my jealousy. All I truly wanted was to be loved by a strong, handsome woman and make her my wife. I loved plenty, my family and my friends held my heart. But I had no partner in life, no one to share every moment in pleasure and pain. When I came home, it was to a silent and windowless one room apartment. I worked in the bathhouse, ate, slept, and repeated. Eventually, my savings would take me somewhere else.

     For now, I waited for the moon to climb to its zenith, marking the end of business. I had to make it just an hour without taking another nap and I didn't trust myself. Tea, and lots of it, was required. With a cracking back, I shuffled to the complimentary tea we set out for guests and helped myself. I enjoyed a deep breath of the drink before taking a scalding sip. It was perfect.

     Returning to my cushioned stool, I cradled the cup to my face as I imagined soaking in the heated waters. They sat beyond the two sets of doors that separated the lobby from the baths themselves. I was allowed, and encouraged, to visit on the off hours to enjoy the amenities free of charge. I had never managed to find the time, except for once. It was on the first day of my 30th year, officially labeled a spinster, I gave in to the curiosity. That had been six years ago and the memory was so distant as to be gone. Blurred to pink and bubbles against skin.

     I looked up and jumped, spilling hot tea onto my fingers. A person now stood in the center of the room and as I saw them, they began to walk toward me. Initially, I swore I was looking at a figure of shimmering gold but the image resolved into that of a short, slender person. They wore a light peach kurta that fell to just below their bare knees, simple gold sandals on their feet. Their skin was deep brown and almost black where it was heavily tattooed. Gold jewelry shone around every limb, and adorned their face and tight, trailing braids.

     They placed a handful of rupees on the high table and smiled up at me. I met their eyes and couldn't help but stare, they were honey brown and shining with knowing.

     "Are you still allowing visitors?"

     Hurriedly, I set down the cup and surreptitiously wiped my hands on my apron. "I'm so sorry I didn't notice you come in," I said, bowing my head. "Welcome to Renuka Bathhouse, please help yourself to tea and I'll bring you in shortly."

     I shot them an automatic smile but it fell as we made eye contact again. They bowed their head.

     "Thank you," their voice was deep and sweet.

     I nodded in return and slipped off of my seat to acquire sandals, a robe, and a towel. When I returned to the late night guest, they were downing a cup of boiling tea. They set the cup down and approached me.

     "We aren't open-"
     "My name-"

     We spoke at the same time and I froze. The stranger also stopped, looking me up and down with those piercing eyes, appraising me and making me feel exposed. They had an unearthly confidence about them as if they knew the consequence of every move before they made it. With a smile, they spoke.

     "I am Kali. You?"

     I rocked back onto my heels and took a steadying breath. "Indira."

     Kali grinned up at me and gestured for me to continue.

     "We aren't open much longer, but you can stay until I've finished closing down." I shifted from one foot to the other, fidgeting with the bundle in my arms. "They won't clean the actual baths until the morning." I bit my lip, silently reprimanding myself. Shut up.

     I nodded and forced myself to start moving toward the interior of the building. Kali followed just behind on silent steps, the chiming of their bangles the only clue they gave of their passing. I allowed them to enter the antechamber first so I could seal the door behind us. Even in the connecting room, the air was saturated with humidity. In the time it took to step across the room and open the second door, beads of water dripped down my arms.

     The baths greeted us with a wall of steam and fragrance. I took a deep breath, I always did. The entrance room was entirely tiled in complex floral patterns of gold and pink and orange. Tall domed ceilings were adorned with intricate arches, from which hung dim gas lamps. A semi circle of mats butted up against the water so you could sit with your legs submerged. I guided Kali to the closest mat and set down the three items for them, bowing and welcoming them to enjoy.

     "I'll be up front," I said, "if you need anything, there are drawcords around the spa. If you pull one I'll come right back here."

     "Thank you Indira," Kali bowed in return.

     Back in the lobby, I poured myself another cup of tea. No way Kali was human. I didn't know what manner of spirit or deity they were and I was unsettled by not knowing. Seeking a clear head, I stood in the open front door with my tea, thankful for the position of the moon. I would start closing now so the strange visitor did not linger. A bell rang.

     "Leave me alone," I whispered into the air even as I hurried back to the baths.

     I found Kali waiting in the antechamber, nude. I tried to disguise my shock, but when we met eyes I knew I'd hid nothing.

     "Would you be so kind," Kali spoke, ignoring my awkwardness, "to bring me tea and sweets, if you have any?"

     I backed out with a nod and lowered eyes. Curses on this Kali, I wanted to go home. With practiced hands, I set a bamboo tray with a full teapot, two cups, two spoons, and a plate piled with a variety of laddu. Balancing the tray on my arm, I knocked.

     No reply. I took a breath and opened the door, sure Kali would be standing there. To my relief, the room was empty. I began to open the interior door.

     "Where would you like me to set this?" I asked before entering.

     The immediate area was abandoned. That didn't mean Kali was gone, they had just ventured further into the bathhouse. They would have been easier to deal with if they had just stayed up front, this meant more work. Still, I was glad to set down the tray without attention and turn to leave.

     The baths stretched out in front of me. I must have fallen asleep for a moment, lost time. I turned around. I turned again and again. The door had disappeared. So had the wall. In every direction I found tile and open water.

     I was standing on a round tile platform at the level of the water. As I looked around, confused and not sure if what I was seeing was real, I noticed the water was rising. My sandals and feet were steadily being flooded by the slow current of the baths. It was the sensation of my soaked sandals that convinced me this was real.

     That damn Kali, I knew this was their doing. Deity, spirit, or otherwise, they had managed to trap me and would drown me if I couldn't escape. The water was now to my calves, just wetting the hem of my sari. I would have to swim soon and the yards of silk would become too cumbersome. With a shout of anger and fear, I removed and abandoned the only fine garment I owned. Bubbles lifted from the folds of shining fabric as it sank below the surface.

     Now dressed only in my light cotton chemise, I surveyed the area with new eyes, of prey evading a predator. The lights were too dim and the steam too thick to determine which direction to head. No walls to guide me either. Soon I would be floating in an endless pool.

     "Harami!" I screamed, water splashing at my knees as I turned around and around. I saw no clear path to take, so I took a decisive dive into the water. As soon as I was below the surface, I dissolved. My mind was planning and my body coursed with adrenaline, yet the water softened it all. I was okay. At least until I came up for air and terror rushed in.

     Without looking up, I swam forward in as straight a line as possible. When I stopped to look up I could see a fuzzy shape in the distance. The depth of the water had long become impossible to tell and I prayed I could get out before I ran out of energy. I put my head down and swam.

     An unknown time later, I reached out a hand blindly to check the way and hit something hard. Heart bursting with relief, I immediately began to pull myself onto the tiled floor, but stopped when I looked up. Kali stood naked on the other side of a circular platform. They took a couple steps forward, dripping with water.

     "No!" I shouted to them, pushing away from the edge and back into the bath. "Let me leave," I pleaded, treading water, "I just want to go home."

     Kali stood at the edge across the platform, silently staring at me. We locked eyes for a moment then they turned away. They knelt and moved a pile of objects that was suddenly on the tile in front of me. One was a bundle of patterned fabric I recognized as my sari, the other the tea tray I had left earlier. The laddu still sat in its neat pyramid, dusted sugar and chopped nuts still in place. I was being baited.

     "Behenchod," I muttered, mouth half-submerged. Kali didn't react or look at me at the swear.

     I continued to tread water, watching the top of their head as they slipped into the pool on the inside of the circle. I was feeling tired, my movements got clumsy and slow and my nose kept dipping below the waterline. Coming up for air with a splutter, I heard a low laugh.

     "Don't let your stubbornness drown you." Kali's voice was uncannily loud so I could hear them perfectly even with my ears filled with water.

     I conceded to holding onto the tiled edge, smooth and cool under my shriveled fingers. Kali was facing me from on the close side of the center pool, dark eyes half closed as they watched me, not quite making eye contact. After a minute they came back out of the water and sat cross legged nearby. I didn't move, couldn't really if I wanted.

     "Would you join me for a drink?" Kali asked, watching me side-eyed. "You're safe here."

     They smiled sweetly down at me and I wanted to believe them. I really did. "Will you let me leave?" I had to make the point again.

     Kali nodded and held out a hand, bangles clinking pleasantly with the movement. Glancing at the hand, I pulled myself onto the platform with minutely shaking arms. Suddenly registering my own exhaustion, I could only scoot away on my butt to be alone. As warm as the air around me was, I shivered under the wet cloth of my chemise.

     The sound of trickling water turned my head. Two clay cups had wisps of steam from the tea Kali poured. They had placed my neatly folded sari across the tea tray from them. I rolled to my knees then onto my feet, craving the warmth of my clothes and drink. Hell to it. Reluctantly, I began to lift the sodden undergarment over my head but it stuck fast, suctioning to my limbs. Kali stood with a swift motion, easily leveling with me in a few leisurely steps.

     I began to protest the help until I pulled the garment higher and smothered myself. Panic gripped me for a moment, unable to breath. With confident hands, Kali effortlessly pulled the cloth from my face and body, leaving me infinitely more comfortable. Free, I crossed my arms over my chest, more bashful than our guest. They held out an inviting hand, looking up from under their dark lashes, contrite. I carefully placed my tawny hand into theirs and they led me back where the tea sat, still boiling hot.

     We sat and drank. Neither of us spoke and I relaxed into the silence. The surreal new landscape of the baths had lost its ominous cast, I was beginning to appreciate the peace they contained. As I looked around, I watched the gas lamps dim until the world around us was deep dusty red surrounding our small puddle of orange and pink. I felt eyes on me and looked around. Kali had finished their tea and was openly staring at my hair, long curls now hanging in coils around my shoulders.

     "Would you allow me to wash your hair?" Kali tilted their head with a smile.

     Cup in one hand, I ran the other over my damp locks. I nodded before finishing off my tea and setting it down. They led the way, taking my hand again to guide me into the center of the circle where the water was still.

     I dissolved. This time I expected, and looked forward to, the otherworldly sensation. Relaxed, my mind fuzzed pleasantly as Kali guided me onto my back. I floated easily. I realized the pool was saltwater as steam left the faintest saltiness on my lips.

     Kali held me steady with a hand under my upper back as they began to massage my scalp with strong fingers. They paused and I felt a cool trickle against my scalp. Peppermint and hibiscus filled my nose as their hand came back to massage in the cleanser. The very last time someone else had washed my hair was my mother the week before she died, using her own tried and true recipe. I thought I could smell it now.

     My roots were tugged softly, Kali using their fingers as a comb. I had had my eyes closed and opened them. Distantly above me was a stained glass lamp, dimly illuminating the ceiling covered in a mosaic pattern. I followed the lines until they were lost in the red fog. It became meditative and time lost meaning, mind dissolving with body.

     I came to with a relieved sigh, stretching every limb. I felt skin touch against the back of my arms and glanced down to see Kali was holding me with my back against them, arms curled under my breasts. They pulled me in close, the tight pressure of their hold comforting.

     "Thank you, Indira."

     The melodic tenor of Kali's voice followed me out of the baths. My head lay on the front counter and I lifted it with a smile, blinking around at the bath house lobby. Empty and dim as I had left it. The tea I had abandoned hours ago at the table was almost hot when I checked it with a finger. It could have been a dream except for the fact of my damp and oil scented hair. Comfortably lethargic, I stood to peek out of the front door. The night was deep and the moon was directly above.

     The next day as I went about town completing errands, I heard whispers of the night before. A stranger who had tormented men in local spas. I found myself smirking as I stood at a market stall, halfway through spending the bounty of cash Kali had left for me. I would be sure to work the same shift next year.