Part 2 of 6 · 2 minThe Saree Shortage

"Yellow is lucky," Ramesh declared with absolute certainty. "According to this old calendar page I found in the library."

Raju stared at him, already dreading what would happen next. The yellow fabric fluttered gently on the breeze, landing squarely on the pristine red saree draped over the bride's chair. Guests paused mid-conversation, eyes widening as they absorbed the sudden splash of color against the crimson background.

Babu Rao stepped forward, his voice tight with suppressed frustration. "Ramesh, get that cloth off her shoulder before she looks like a sunflower in a garden."

"It matches," Ramesh insisted, pointing to a small, tattered calendar hanging on the wall. "See? Yellow day. Blue month. Red year. Everything is yellow today."

Before anyone could react, Ramesh snatched the red saree from the chair and tossed it onto a nearby folding table with a dramatic flourish. Instead of replacing it immediately, he turned to the groom standing awkwardly in his white sherwani. "Now, for your entrance. You need something bold. Something lucky."

Babu Rao groaned under his breath. "He's going to make me change into a neon pink turban next, isn't he?"

"Yellow," Ramesh corrected, already reaching toward the bride's dressing table where stacks of colorful fabrics lay organized by hue and occasion. He pulled out a vibrant yellow silk saree embroidered with gold motifs—originally reserved for an elderly aunt attending the morning prayers—and draped it over the groom's shoulders without asking.

The groom blinked, confused. "But I'm supposed to wear this." He gestured to his own traditional attire, which was still neatly folded in the corner of the room.

"It's better," Ramesh said proudly. "Yellow is lucky. And you look handsome in yellow. Everyone will love you more if you're wearing a festive color like mine."

Babu Rao rushed over, grabbing the yellow saree from his son's shoulders and holding it up to compare. "This is clearly meant for Ammau. Look at the border. Gold thread work specifically designed for older ladies who attend temple ceremonies on auspicious days."

"It doesn't matter," Ramesh countered. "If I say it fits, then it fits. Plus, if everyone sees you in yellow, they'll think we're celebrating something special. Maybe a surprise birthday party for the bride's uncle!"

By now, whispers had spread through the crowd. A few curious guests wandered over to inspect the mismatched ensemble. One woman even pulled out her phone to take a picture, smiling as she captioned it: *Groom in Yellow Saree? Bold Move!*

Panic set in as Babu Rao realized how long it would take to retrieve the original outfit from Ammau's quarters. "We only have about twenty minutes before the main procession starts," he muttered, pacing back and forth. "And we don't even know what else Ramesh has decided to 'upgrade'."

Raj