Chapter summaries Counting Down with You Tashie Bhuiyan

Chapter 26 Summary: Ace Visits and a Bollywood Marathon

⚠️ 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

Myra wakes up emotionally drained after her recent anxiety attack and decides to skip school. Her grandmother, Dadu, believes she is sick and lets her stay home. Myra texts her friends to let them know she will be absent. Later, Dadu makes chai and they start a Bollywood movie marathon, choosing Kal Ho Naa Ho. Halfway through the film, the doorbell rings. Myra opens the door to find Ace holding a paper bag of soup. He says he heard she was sick and brought study notes so they could study together. Ace greets Dadu with “As-salaam alaikum,” which impresses her. Dadu invites him inside and goes to prepare lunch. Ace and Myra continue watching the movie. During a scene with a doctor, Myra trembles. Ace notices and asks what is wrong. She admits she is afraid of doctors because her parents pressure her to become one, but she wants to study English. Ace reassures her that teaching is a real career. The movie ends with both of them crying. Myra thanks Ace for being himself and for the unexpected visit. He squeezes her hand. Myra reflects that Ace is not what she expected, echoing the story Dadu once told about her late grandfather.

Key Events

  • Myra fakes illness to stay home from school; Dadu believes her and lets her rest.
  • Samir briefly teases Myra before heading to school.
  • Myra and Dadu start a Bollywood movie marathon (Kal Ho Naa Ho).
  • Ace arrives unannounced with soup, having heard from Myra’s friends that she was sick.
  • Ace greets Dadu in Arabic, winning her approval.
  • Ace watches the Bollywood film with Myra, even though he cannot speak Hindi.
  • During a hospital scene, Myra’s hands shake; Ace asks about her fear.
  • Myra confesses her parents want her to be a doctor, but she dreams of studying English and becoming a teacher.
  • Ace insists her dream is valid and asks why she thinks it is not.
  • The movie ends and both are crying; Ace’s phone buzzes repeatedly but he ignores it.
  • Myra thanks Ace for being himself; he squeezes her hand.

Character Development

  • Myra: Shows vulnerability by admitting her fear of doctors and her secret desire to study English. She also allows herself to accept comfort from Ace, stepping outside her usual cautious behavior.
  • Ace: Demonstrates thoughtfulness by researching how to greet a Muslim elder. He skips school to support Myra, listens to her worries, and validates her career aspirations. His emotional reaction to the film reveals a softer side.
  • Dadu: Displays leniency and warmth by welcoming Ace into the home without judgment, trusting Myra’s judgment.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Parental Expectations vs. Personal Dreams: Myra’s conflict about becoming a doctor versus studying English is a central theme. She feels trapped by her parents’ plans for her life.
  • Comfort and Self-Care: Myra’s choice to skip school and watch a movie with Dadu shows her need for emotional rest. Ace’s arrival with soup and company reinforces the healing power of presence.
  • Cross‑Cultural Connection: Ace’s attempt to greet Dadu in Arabic and his willingness to watch a Bollywood film highlight the bridge between different cultural backgrounds.
  • Grief and Coping: The movie’s plot about terminal illness triggers Myra’s anxiety, and Dadu’s earlier story about her late husband parallels the new relationship forming with Ace.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens Myra’s internal conflict between her family’s expectations and her own aspirations. It also marks a turning point in her relationship with Ace: he shows genuine concern, respects her culture, and supports her dreams. The intimate setting of her home allows for a honest conversation that was missing in public spaces. Additionally, the parallel between the Bollywood film and Myra’s life reinforces her fear of losing control — though here, Ace is not a terminal character but a source of hope.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Myra decide to skip school in this chapter?
She is emotionally exhausted after her recent anxiety attack and needs a day to recover. Her grandmother’s lenient attitude allows her to stay home without pressure.

2. What does Ace do that surprises Myra when he arrives?
He greets Dadu with “As-salaam alaikum,” having Googled the proper greeting for Muslim elders. He also brings soup and study materials, skipping school to keep her company.

3. What career does Myra secretly want to pursue, and why does she feel she cannot?
She wants to study English and become a teacher, but her parents insist she become a doctor. She believes her dream is not a “real” career and feels she has no choice.

Navigation