Chapter summaries Counting Down with You Tashie Bhuiyan

Chapter 35: T-Minus 12 Days – Summary & Analysis

⚠️ 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 is called out of the shower to greet her relatives from New Jersey: Pooja Auntie, Mustafa Uncle, and their daughters Fatima and Labani. The family eats snacks and fusses over Dadu, which Myra finds uncomfortable. Fatima seems tense. While watching a Netflix movie, Fatima’s parents openly criticise her decision to double major in biology and psychology, calling it embarrassing and a delay to medical school. Dadu defends Fatima and expresses excitement for her. Myra, triggered by the conflict, lights a lavender candle to calm her anxiety. She compares Fatima’s plight to her own secret desire to study English. A text from Ace – “thinking of u. text me if u feel up to it” – gives Myra a surge of courage. She tells Fatima she thinks her choice is cool. Later, Samir discusses his college ambitions (CalTech) and receives praise, contrasting with the criticism aimed at Fatima. After the relatives leave, Dadu confides to Myra that she feels the family is deeply flawed and she doesn’t know how to fix it. Myra insists Dadu is the best part of the family, but Dadu gently disagrees, saying Myra herself is the one who is right.

Key Events

  • Myra’s New Jersey relatives arrive unannounced, causing tension.
  • Fatima’s parents berate her for her double major, delaying medical school.
  • Dadu openly supports Fatima, defusing the argument momentarily.
  • Myra lights a candle to manage her rising anxiety.
  • Ace’s text arrives, emboldening Myra to speak up for Fatima.
  • Samir receives praise for his robotics achievements and mentions CalTech.
  • Dadu reveals her helplessness about the family’s dysfunction.
  • Myra proclaims Dadu is “everything right” with the family.

Character Development

  • Myra: For the first time, Myra voices a genuine, supportive opinion in front of disapproving relatives. She acknowledges Fatima’s bravery and, by extension, allows herself to see her own courage. The chapter shows Myra beginning to turn her internal doubts into outward action.
  • Dadu: A previously steadfast pillar, Dadu shows vulnerability. She admits she cannot fix the family’s broken dynamics, revealing a layer of deep worry beneath her usual strength. This moment deepens Myra’s understanding of her grandmother.
  • Fatima: Though mostly silent, Fatima’s quiet defiance (choosing her own major) and her hug of gratitude show she is fighting for her independence, even when her parents shame her.
  • Samir: His moment of hesitation about CalTech (fearing his parents might not allow it) hints that even the praised golden child feels pressured by family expectations.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Parental Expectations vs. Individual Dreams: The chapter contrasts Fatima’s forced path to medicine with her actual interests. Myra sees her own reflection in Fatima’s struggle.
  • Support Systems: Dadu’s defense of Fatima, Ace’s text, and Myra’s whispered words all represent small acts of support that counteract the family’s pressure. The text “thinking of u” serves as an emotional lifeline.
  • The Candle as a Coping Mechanism: Myra’s act of lighting a lavender candle is a deliberate ritual to ground herself amid conflict. It symbolizes her attempt to control her environment when she feels powerless.
  • Gender and Favoritism: Samir’s achievements are celebrated while Fatima’s choices are scorned, highlighting the double standard. Myra observes that traditional ways “cater to men,” making it easier for sons to escape criticism.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter crystallises the central conflict between pursuing personal passion and meeting family obligations. Fatima’s situation is a direct parallel to Myra’s unspoken dream of studying English. Seeing Fatima endure her parents’ disapproval—and still receive Dadu’s support—gives Myra permission to imagine her own future. Dadu’s moment of weakness also reshapes Myra’s view of her grandmother from an infallible hero to a fallible human. The chapter ends with Myra feeling less alone, setting her up to take more risks in the chapters to come.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Myra decide to speak up to support Fatima, and what triggers this decision?
    Myra is prompted by Ace’s text message (“thinking of u”), which gives her a burst of adrenaline. Seeing Fatima’s parents dismiss her also makes Myra realise she cannot stay silent when she sees an injustice that mirrors her own hidden dreams.

  2. How does Dadu’s character shift in this chapter, and what does that reveal about the family dynamic?
    Dadu admits she feels powerless to fix the family’s dysfunction, contrasting with her usual confident facade. This reveals that even the most respected elder cannot shield the younger generation from rigid expectations, and that the family’s problems run deeper than she can address alone.

  3. What role does the candle play in Myra’s response to the stressful visit?
    The candle is a deliberate, almost ritualistic act of self-soothing. By lighting it, Myra takes a small, tangible step to control her anxiety and create a calming presence in the room. It symbolises her need to ground herself when family conflicts trigger her internal countdown.

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