Chapter summaries Counting Down with You Tashie Bhuiyan

Chapter 27 Summary: Lunch with Dadu and a Warning

⚠️ 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 and Ace are picking a third movie when Dadu calls them for lunch. Ace worries the food will be spicy, and Karina teases him about being white. He insists on helping Dadu carry the dishes, earning her praise. Nandini and Cora FaceTime Karina; when they learn Ace is there, they demand a private word with him. Ace takes the phone outside. Karina notices his phone lighting up with many missed calls and texts from his father, Xander, and Mia—but Ace shrugs off her concern.

Dadu serves pulao and chicken korma, piling Ace’s plate high. The meal goes well, and Ace compliments the food. He asks why Dadu calls Karina “Myra,” and she explains the Bengali tradition of having a community nickname. He calls her “Karina” for the first time, which makes her happy.

Later, as Karina heads to bed, Dadu stops her. She expresses concern about Karina’s closeness with Ace, hinting that Karina’s parents would not approve of such a close friendship with a boy. Karina panics and denies any romantic involvement, claiming Ace is just a study partner. After the conversation, Karina feels the fragile bond with Ace is threatened. She knows she must find a way to make it work—but she doesn’t know how.

Key Events

  • Ace helps Dadu set the table and wins her approval with his politeness.
  • Nandini and Cora FaceTime Karina and speak privately with Ace off-screen.
  • Karina sees Ace’s phone filled with unread texts and missed calls from his family; Ace avoids the topic.
  • Dadu cooks a mild meal (pulao and chicken korma) and loads Ace’s plate.
  • Ace asks about Karina’s nickname “Myra” and then calls her “Karina” for the first time.
  • Dadu pulls Karina aside to warn her about spending too much time with Ace.
  • Karina lies that Ace is only a tutoring partner, but internally fears losing her connection to him.

Character Development

  • Karina (Myra): Her internal conflict deepens. She enjoys Ace’s company but is terrified of her parents’ judgment and Dadu’s potential disapproval. Her counting ritual (ten, nine, eight…) reappears when she feels anxious. She is forced to lie to the grandmother she loves.
  • Ace: Shows a caring, considerate side—he wants to impress Dadu, helps without being asked, and respects cultural boundaries even while teasing. His avoidance of his family’s calls hints at unresolved tension at home.
  • Dadu: A warm but protective figure. She praises Ace’s manners but sets a boundary when she senses the relationship may cross lines her daughter and son-in-law would not accept. Her own history (mentioned by Karina) suggests she would be more lenient if not for the parents’ expectations.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Cultural dual identity: Karina has two names (Karina/Myra) and explains the Bengali naming tradition. This mirrors her double life—one version for her community, another for school and her romance with Ace.
  • Secrecy and fear of exposure: The chapter revolves around what is hidden: the real nature of Karina and Ace’s relationship from Dadu, and Ace’s ignored family calls from Karina.
  • Anxiety and control: Karina’s counting ritual returns when she feels cornered by Dadu’s questions, showing her need to manage overwhelming emotions.
  • Parental expectations as an invisible force: Even though Karina’s parents are absent, their authority shapes her choices and her grandmother’s caution.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks the first time an adult in Karina’s family directly questions her bond with Ace. Dadu’s warning shatters the illusion that the fake romance can remain hidden. It forces Karina to confront the gap between her desire for Ace and her duty to her family’s rules. The chapter also deepens Ace’s mystery by hinting at strained relationships with his own father and brother. Karina’s final thought—“I don’t know if I’m ready to lose this”—sets up the central tension for the remaining story.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Ace ignore the missed calls and texts from his father and Xander?
    Ace’s dismissive reaction suggests a strained relationship with his family. He may feel overwhelmed or resentful, but the text does not yet reveal the full reason. His avoidance contrasts with his warm behavior around Dadu, highlighting a divide in his home life.

  2. What does Dadu’s warning reveal about her character and the family’s values?
    Dadu supports Karina but feels obligated to uphold the rules Karina’s parents would enforce. Her hesitation shows she wants Karina to be happy, but she believes that close friendships with boys—especially outside their community—are unacceptable. This reflects both her love and the pressure she feels to police Karina’s behavior.

  3. How does the counting ritual (ten, nine, eight…) function in this chapter?
    Karina uses counting to calm her panic when Dadu questions her about Ace. It serves as a mental escape valve, allowing her to stall for time and regain composure. The ritual underscores her anxiety and her need to control situations that feel threatening.

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