Dearest gentle reader,
While we’re not British, every Xavierite enjoys a perfect cup of hot tea, and the source may not always be the beloved ‘adda’. The breaking of glass has long been considered a most fortunate omen; therefore, perhaps we should allow it to shatter and rouse the canteen with a grand applause, not for the unfortunate soul who committed the folly of breaking it, of course, but for the piping hot content that will now spill before our very eyes.
Well, well, well… Every member of our little society is aware of Puddles’ undeniable charm, for he possesses the remarkable ability to bring a touch of rouge to every girl’s cheeks. Yet, dear readers, what truly sets him apart is his unwavering loyalty. For no matter how grand the crowd surrounding him may be, his eyes seek only one: his better half, Cuddles.
He’s been successful so far, but we are finally here to unwrap Puddles’ best-kept secret—Cuddles.
An otherwise loud individual somehow finds himself entirely lost for words in her presence. He leaps with excitement every time her name is even mentioned, with excitement being the key word, for this gentleman is known to jump regardless.
Cuddles, on the other hand, is the very embodiment of beauty with brains, whatever such a phrase may signify within the fascinating world of amphibians.
Together, they understand one another perfectly, much like a house spectacularly set ablaze.
Only recently, Puddles presented an exceptionally questionable attempt at humour:
“Why did the mushroom go to the party?
Because he was a Fun-guy.”
And yes, she laughed. Perhaps it was out of pure affection for him, but one must admire the effort. The entire college appears to have surrendered in the battle against Puddles’ sense of humour—everyone, that is, except his devoted partner.
While many believe Cuddles to be nothing more than a figment of Puddles’ imagination, they could not be further from the truth, for she very much does exist. If disbelief remains, dear reader, one can always seek confirmation from Mr. Shubho Kundu, the very creator of these stunning lovebirds. The true mystery, however, lies in her continued absence.
Cuddles sleeps well into the morning, in complete contrast to her beau. Thus, Puddles has yet to receive the opportunity to formally introduce her to his friends at St. Xavier’s.
At least, that is the explanation presented to the curious masses of this college. A rather difficult pill to swallow, especially considering there has been no grand introduction thus far. Furthermore, whispers suggest that this power couple often avoids the public eye because Cuddles prefers not to draw attention to herself.
Yet, as his closest companions, we cannot help but feel slightly wounded. Surely, we deserved to know.
But as legend has famously reminded us, who are we to draw assumptions after all?
One may assume that what happens on campus remains confined to campus. But allow this author to assure you that such an assumption could not be further from the truth. For the truth is this: Puddles is everywhere.
Puddles loves to gather information, Puddles loves to pass along the information he gathers, and our angel, Cuddles, is subjected to every single piece of it.
She knows the theme for Malhar before the Core itself, simply because Puddles was far too invested in discreetly overhearing the Quartet’s discussions. Cuddles is aware of every department’s favourite bonding spots, and somehow, the songs for every team’s AM-NITE performance have already found their way to her ears.
It is almost as if she remains invisible to the eye, yet eternally present wherever there is a spot bustling with activity.
However, my beloved reader, allow me to reveal some particularly exclusive details.
Last year, during the grand days of Malhar, Cuddles finally attempted to make her glamorous entrance at the venue after years of relentless persuasion.
You must be wondering, “What happened then?”
Precisely what happens when one forgets their ID card and discovers that tickets have vanished before one’s fingers even reach the phone screen.
Cuddles was denied entry.
How terribly unfortunate!
Puddles was left heartbroken and perhaps slightly cross with the Security department. His friends, after all, were meant to assist his wonderful partner. Fortunately, the OC was kind enough to resolve the matter with the fest’s dearest darling, and Puddles, being the gentleman that he is, forgave all parties involved and continued his reign as the face of Malhar.
While Cuddles still dreams of attending Mumbai’s finest fest, she remains understandably intimidated by last year’s unfortunate encounter.
The college campus, however, continues to hold an undeniable fascination for Cuddles. It is, after all, the place of her dreams. Yet, her curiosity and amusement towards this grand institution is driven by one particularly important desire: to have a taste of the legendary Malhar Pav.
Puddles cannot stop singing its praises, undoubtedly influenced by his rather obvious fondness for the name. Nevertheless, Cuddles’ expectations of the canteen’s celebrated speciality have now reached unprecedented heights.
From April until August, Puddles dedicates himself entirely to his duties towards Malhar. But for the remainder of the year, he ensures that he and Cuddles explore every scenic marvel that the beautiful city of Mumbai has to offer.
From Marine Drive to Juhu Beach, Bandra Bandstand to Versova Beach, Cuddles soon discovered that Puddles possesses a rather remarkable affinity towards water. Of course, he makes sure that they admire these wonders from a (rather generous) distance, as he doesn’t want either himself or Cuddles to risk their lives—he is responsible, after all. And suddenly, dear reader, it becomes perfectly clear why destiny chose him to be the mascot of Malhar.
Our most ideal match, Puddles and Cuddles, remain each other’s greatest admirers and most committed cheerleaders.
Even the M-Workforce has witnessed Puddles’ exceptional transformation from a ‘massive’ yapper to simply a yapper. He certainly listens far more than he once did, and one must extend one's gratitude to Cuddles for this admirable evolution.
But jokes aside, these two are extraordinary individuals in their own right. Yet together, they complement each other’s quirks and add to each other’s personalities in a manner that suggests their connection was written in the stars long before they ever crossed paths.
There exists a certain sparkle in their eyes that appears only in the presence of the other.
So the question lingers: is Malhar 2026 destined to become the grand public debut of this dynamic duo, or will Puddles continue to guard this romance closely until permanence is assured?
Fear not, for we shall reveal every detail the moment any hot news reaches our desk.
Until then, gentle reader, keep following Swar for more such stories, society whispers, and further developments.
MALHAR SOCIETY PAPERS, 22 JULY 2026