The Vishakanya’s Choice by Roshani Chokshi Published 8/25/2015 | 4,162 Words “Did we have a choice? An honest one. A real Choice.” Who would you be if you had a choice? What would you do? Early in her life, Sudha’s fate was divined to be a lonely, fruitless future of young widowhood. So, it was considered a blessing when she was brought to the Hastinapur harem to become a vishakanya–a weapon, an assassin, a poison maiden whose very touch is toxic. Sudha has never had a choice, has never known anything except the cold beauty of the harem’s stone walls. After years of living in isolation with her vishakanya sisters, Sudha is given her first mission: to end the life of a great man. Someone who, unlike her, leads a life full of glittering Choices fit for an emperor. In their fateful encounter, a vishakanya meets a conqueror and a weapon creates a legend. “Do you have an assignment today?” Sudha swallowed nervously. Urvashi shook her head, “No. Today, I wear red in honor of your virgin kill.” There was no blood on her hands, but Sudha’s mind wasn’t convinced. Unless they were on assignment, all vishakanyas wore white. But […]