Chapter summaries Counting Down with You Tashie Bhuiyan

Chapter 18: Fake Dating Proposal and Family Secrets

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Karina arrives at school with her hood up, anxious after Ace changed his Facebook relationship status to “in a relationship.” Her friends Nandini and Cora demand an explanation, but Karina has none. Ace suddenly appears, hands her breakfast and coffee, kisses the top of her head, and walks away—leaving her stunned. She chases after him and finds him at his locker, where she notices he has bought a notebook as she had asked. Their conversation is interrupted by Xander, who questions their relationship. Ace leads Karina to a secluded stairwell and explains his home life: his father only pays attention when Ace misbehaves, and Xander constantly monitors him for ammunition to use against Ace at home. Ace proposes that they pretend to be dating to keep Xander from discovering the tutoring sessions. Karina refuses, pointing out that her parents would never allow any kind of relationship, even a fake one. The bell rings and she hurries away, leaving Ace with a contemplative look.

Key Events

  • Karina walks to school with her hood up to avoid social attention after Ace’s relationship status change.
  • Cora and Nandini confront Karina, who insists she has no idea what Ace is doing.
  • Ace brings Karina breakfast and coffee, kisses her head in public, then leaves.
  • Karina finds Ace at his locker; he has bought a notebook and a pencil.
  • The pair encounter Xander, who makes pointed remarks about their relationship.
  • Ace takes Karina to a private stairwell and reveals his family dynamics: his father cares only when Ace is in trouble, and Xander uses any excuse to make Ace look bad.
  • Ace proposes a fake relationship to hide the tutoring from his family; Karina immediately refuses.
  • The first-period bell rings; Karina walks away without agreeing.

Character Development

  • Karina Ahmed: Shows vulnerability by hiding her face at school, a rare move for someone who typically avoids attention. She is quick to confront Ace and demands honesty. Her refusal of the fake dating proposal demonstrates her loyalty to her own family’s rules and her unwillingness to be drawn into a deception that could endanger her parents’ trust.
  • Ace (Alistair): Opens up about his painful family situation for the first time. He admits his father’s attention is conditional on failure, and that Xander acts as a threat to his privacy. His proposal to pretend-date is impulsive but reveals his deep need to maintain control over his father’s perception of him. He also shows a softer side by remembering Karina’s coffee order and buying a notebook.
  • Xander: Appears briefly but serves as a catalyst. He is calm and polite yet deliberately provocative, highlighting the tension between the brothers. His smugness suggests he enjoys having leverage over Ace.
  • Nandini and Cora: Supportive but curious friends; they push Karina for information and witness Ace’s public display of affection.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Secret vs. Performance: The entire chapter revolves around hiding the truth (tutoring) behind a performance (fake dating). Ace’s life at home is a performance for his father; now he asks Karina to perform with him.
  • Family Expectations: Both Ace and Karina are constrained by their families—Ace by his father’s conditional attention, Karina by her parents’ strict rules against dating.
  • Public vs. Private: Ace’s public kiss and relationship status change force the tutoring relationship into the public eye. The stairwell becomes a private space where truth can be spoken.
  • Notebook and Pencil as Symbols: Ace buying a notebook and bringing a pencil shows his willingness to engage with tutoring, a small act of defiance against his family’s expectations. It represents his commitment to improving—but in secret.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 18 is a turning point in the novel. It transforms the tutoring arrangement into a high-stakes secret with potential consequences for both Karina and Ace. Ace’s vulnerability humanizes him beyond the “bad boy” stereotype, and Karina’s refusal to agree to the fake dating scheme establishes her personal boundaries. The chapter also deepens the conflict with Xander, setting up future confrontations. The fake dating proposal is a classic romantic trope that propels the plot forward, testing the characters’ values and their connection.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Ace want to pretend to date Karina?
    Answer: Ace wants to pretend to date Karina so that his brother Xander does not report the tutoring sessions to their father. Ace’s father only pays attention to him when he is in trouble, so Ace needs to keep his academic improvement a secret to avoid losing that negative attention, which he interprets as caring.

  2. What reasons does Karina give for refusing the fake relationship?
    Answer: Karina says her parents would “kill” her if she ever dated anyone, even in a pretend capacity. She feels that the plan is ridiculous and that Ace should simply tell his father the truth about the tutoring.

  3. How does the encounter with Xander escalate the tension between the brothers?
    Answer: Xander openly questions Karina and Ace’s relationship, suggests Ace should have introduced her to their mother, and later pats Ace’s shoulder condescendingly. This interaction shows Xander’s willingness to use any information against Ace and reinforces Ace’s fear of being exposed.

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