One month from today,
I'll wake to a team of
makeup artists—
hair stylists—
buzzing outside my door.
At Nani's command, they'll
swarm.
They'll
poke
me with their glittery swords;
paint
me with their honey.
I'll fight the urge to scratch it away,
because I'm
Sudasa the obedient
and I must keep my fingers
gluedtogether
like the dolls
Asha and I
left buried under my bed.
When the artists flee,
the designers will inch into place.
They'll
spin
me in their silks;
garnish
me with their golds.
They'll lift me onto an easel;
wait for Nani
to stamp me
DONE!
After that, I'll be placed upon
an elephant—
the only creature who'll appear
more ridiculous than me.
She'll deliver me
to a temple with
no god.
Then Nani will send me
down the aisle with
strict
instructions
to keep my
gaze
off my
beaded shoes.
The people of Koyanagar will
Watch me.
Question me.
Love me?
Hate me.
Hate me for not marrying
their son.
For not bearing
his children daughters.
YOU ARE READING
5 TO 1
Teen FictionIn the year 2054, after decades of gender selection, Koyanagar-a country severed from India-now has a ratio of five boys for every girl, and women are an incredibly valuable commodity. Tired of wedding their daughters to the highest bidder and deter...
