Delhi-NCR! A metropolis bustling with millions of people. Houses packed tight as pigeon nests, where a sneeze in one home sends vibrations throughout the neighborhood. Faces everywhere, a sea of voices. Yet among all this, there's an undercurrent of loneliness. Despite wide roads, genuine connections are rare, overshadowed by tragic accidents.
Addressing this solitude, various businesses have emerged. One such venture is cuddle therapy. Here, charges vary from a few hours to a whole day of companionship and hugs.
I need to meet a cuddle therapist this weekend. Could you arrange it for me? But I need to talk to them first...!
An arrangement can be made, but not this week. All our male therapists are pre-booked.
But I need a female professional.
That won't be beneficial. Cross-gender therapy is recommended. I advise booking for next weekend. Meanwhile, I'll connect you with an expert.
With a seasoned voice, the call ends saying, 'Once you try, you'll understand why I suggest so.'
Soon after, Rony, the cuddle expert, was on the line. He started by saying, 'When your call came, I insisted on dealing with this lady myself.'
Why is that?
I see a long-term association with you. His voice brimmed with confidence, undoubtedly backed by professional training.
Rony! An unusual name. What's your real name?
Clients call me that. A straightforward yet evasive response.
Source: aajtak
Rony refuses to disclose his true name or conduct video calls before meetings, adhering to their no-picture policy favored by female clients, adding an element of surprise.
Fluent in English, Rony claims to have trained in cuddle therapy eight years ago in Tennessee, USA.
Why go so far?
I initially went for a different study but heard about this work. After the course, I started providing therapy there. I returned during COVID and stayed here.
Rony charges 4999 rupees for three hours of cuddling, claiming to be the most affordable in the market. You've likely explored the rates yourself.
His claim stands valid as elsewhere, cuddling costs start at ten thousand rupees, increasing with services like massages and healing touches, including sauna baths.
What happens during your sessions? Surely, it's not just three hours of cuddling!
Rony’s response was lengthy...
'See, if you come to our setup, this is what we charge. Initially, we have an ice-breaking session. We sit on an L-shaped couch, and you can tell me anything—family, office, breakup, or even your fantasies. Share what you can't with anyone else; my job is to listen without judgment.'
'Many times, these sessions extend as conversations flow. If the client wants and our calendar allows, we can book a next session or start a new one right away. Like once a lady came for three hours but ended up staying all day. She's a regular now.'
Can you share your equation with that lady?
I can't disclose that. Confidentiality is paramount. Clients trust us immensely.
After some hesitation, this veteran in the profession begins to open up.
'She moved to Gurgaon two years ago from Chennai, working in an MNC. Her long-distance relationship didn’t last. When she met me, she was broken. During the ice-breaking session, she said she missed her boyfriend the most.'
'I researched what she liked, didn't like, and how a day in her past relationship was. We spent the next weekend replicating that—watching her favorite movie and eating her favorite food. Gradually, she became a regular client. Yet, neither knows the other's real name.'
But what if I want documentation, like an ID card?
'No issue. Documentation can be arranged if preferred. But this service operates on trust, where someone entrusts themselves in unknown hands based on faith.'
This therapist doesn't rely on words to charm or scare; his voice's cadence conveys everything necessary.
Source: aajtak
What does your setup include?
'Everything required for a basic room—AC, sound system, couch, water, coffee. If a client prefers sitting on the floor, arrangements are made. Any other requests can be requested in advance; we'll arrange them.'
How do I ensure it's safe? No recordings or hassles?
'If concerned, you can invite me to your place or an external property like a hotel or resort. You could also have me keep my phone away. Then there’s nothing to fear!' His teasing laughter across the phone sounds like an old friend's banter.
Suppose at any point, if I feel vulnerable and exceed boundaries, how will you manage? Or if the reverse happens, what can I do?
'You can trust me to respect boundaries. I'll only go as far as consent allows. We’re trained in ethical touch protocols. Post-ice-breaking, we understand clients' needs through subsequent sessions.'
'We'll gaze into each other's eyes for a while, hold hands, or start with a gentle embrace. Some directly prefer spooning. We quickly understand what each client desires. However you wish to cuddle, it’ll be just that way.'
'For first-timers, if you’d rather skip cuddling, we’ll meet and talk. Many clients meet us to vent life's frustrations. Once that’s out, things smoothen.'
By smoothen, you mean...
He clarifies, 'Happy endings, but only if mutual. It's a grown-up thing.'
Still... What if I become vulnerable with you?
'What do you seek? Surely, you thought about it before calling. We primarily offer cuddle therapy with a no-intimacy policy. Yet, intimate touch can occasionally lead things further.'
If a client feels uncomfortable or we ourselves hesitate to proceed, we can take a break. A five-minute pause resolves many uncertainties. Yet, if anything spontaneous happens, there’s no coercion, but our side won’t initiate.'
'For additional security, you’ll receive a center number for emergencies. Female clients often invite us to their premises to feel safer.'
How do we ensure the person we’re with is disease-free?
'That's a legitimate concern. Sticking strictly to no-intimacy policies eliminates worry. Yet, if desired, medical tests can be undertaken at the client’s cost and arrangement. Clients with skin conditions or contagious infections are advised to engage only in conversation.' Involved execs share guidelines, aiming for cleanliness and expecting venues to maintain hygiene. He himself prioritizes cleanliness and attire, tailoring to clients' preferences, as physical touch forms the cornerstone of this therapy.'
This seemingly impeccably professional world has its quirks too.
Though Rony has been combating loneliness through healing touch for years, he hasn't been immune to challenges himself.
Source: aajtak
He admits, 'Cuddling is commonplace in America. People primarily engage in professional handshakes. One client, lacking relationships or family support, became overwhelming. After the cuddle session started, I discovered she was a transgender transitioning. It made me uncomfortable. Despite explaining, she remained adamant, leading to a rushed departure. Post that, I began asking direct questions during ice-breaking, which is accepted there.'
Another set of experiences awaited upon returning to India. Here, the public often equates it to sex work, but reality is different. We become lonely people’s friends, charging for it.
When advertising cuddling here, we received dubious calls. Sometimes given addresses turned out empty upon arrival, clients going unresponsive or abandoning appointments. After repeated disappointments, we implemented upfront booking charges.'
In a half-hour conversation, Rony uses numerous technical terms like memory reboot, push sensitivity, trauma handling, and access bars. When asked, he explains each term patiently, followed by a light-hearted jibe, 'Even clients haven't interviewed me so thoroughly!'
Before deciding to meet, I'd like some time.
Rony agrees, suggesting, 'Take your time. Feel free to contact me again if needed.' His voice, imbued with confidence, likely resulting from training, experience, or trust, reassures.
It's important to note that there’s no regulatory body in India granting credibility or licenses to cuddle therapy. Professionals often market under holistic therapy, lacking legal oversight, leaving several gray areas.
Authorities may view this akin to sex work.
Source: aajtak
To prevent misunderstandings, therapists establish codes of conduct and boundary rules, clarifying their no-intimacy stance upfront. Yet, should two consenting adults engage beyond cuddling, external interventions are rare.
For safety protocol clearance, a call to another center unveiled all sorts of services besides cuddling, like healing sessions and massages. As stated, a distinct flat facilitates coughs. Client-therapist exchanges.
Addressing safety, executives insist concerns of recording are mutual—therapists risk exposure too. With no cameras present, and considering the therapeutic nature of cuddling, any intimate suggestions allow breaks of five minutes—take a walk or breathe deeply.
Before ending the call, executives propose, 'Join our Strangers Meet program, frequently held. Here, strangers mingle and cuddle.' While the innocence of hugging away woes appears benign, reality is more nuanced.
Under wellness therapy's facade, legal complications may lurk. Surprise inspections by authorities could weigh unethical practices equally.
Understanding its legality, we consulted Manish Bhadauria, a senior advocate from Karkardooma Court.
He explains, 'As long as rules are adhered to, there’s no crime. Consensual adult relationships aren't wrong here; issues arise in public, brothels, or minors or exertion—considered serious crimes. Occasional raids on massage parlors arise from sex work under the guise of massages.'
'This falls under the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act (ITP), forbidding paid sex. While offering cuddle therapy sans intimacy isn't problematic, crossing lines risks cases. Post-raid, if proven, any unethical activities could lead to legal pursuits against both parties, emphasizing girls' testimonies.'
We sought insight from police officials. An unidentified Delhi Police Special Cell officer reveals insights on cuddling.
'Despite its wellness appeal, suspicion of sex work results in action. An arrest warrant follows any victim complaint, requiring FIRs and possible compensation. Minors invoke POSCO processes.'
Have such cases arisen with you?
Source: aajtak
'In the guise of cuddling, not, though massage centers host sex work. Police remain vigilant.'
When consents exist, how do police perceive intimate cuddles?
'It depends if it’s personal. Plaintiffs defending consent protect from legal issues. But repeated happenings liken centers to brothels, warranting intervention.'
Psychologists express slightly differing viewpoints.
Associate Professor, Dr. Ujjwal Sardesai of MGM College Indore, considers such therapies complex.
'Cuddling releases oxytocin hormone for sure, but paying a stranger for hugs may worsen loneliness.'
'Hugging a depressed patient briefly contrasts with prolonged sessions in therapy. Though oxytocin releases therein too, the context might provoke sexual activity. Long-term confusion perpetuates misconceptions that hugs ease loneliness better.'
'A session might spark attachments between two clients, with subsequent absence amplifying emotional turmoil.'
Loneliness! An old fury, repeatedly pounding. Amidst Delhi, remedies against this plight emerge. There are friends aplenty willing to wipe tears and hold tight—hourly. Time ends, companionship ends. A refrigerated friendship, cold and stale, but marked as fresh fruit of the season by cuddle therapy entrepreneurs.
