Chapter 23 Summary and Study Guide

⚠️ 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

Chapter 23 opens on Saturday morning, the day of the planned triple date with Aisling, Dee, and their boyfriends. Hani wakes up anxious, having spent days preparing Ishu with tips about Aisling and Dee's preferences—including a Google Doc cheat sheet. She texts Ishu early with warnings like “Aisling hates rice,” which leads to a playful exchange where Ishu teases Hani about stereotyping Bengali people. The banter is interrupted by a phone call from Ishu, who is already dressed and studying biology and chemistry. Ishu insists she can handle the situation, though she admits she's been brushing up on royal family trivia (mentioning Princess Charlotte's net worth) and working on keeping her mouth shut—with limited success.

Hani decides to meet Ishu at her house so they can travel together. When she arrives, Ishu's father greets her warmly in Bengali and mentions that Ishu plans to study at Cambridge and become a doctor. This revelation unsettles Hani, who realizes she hasn't thought beyond Dublin universities and feels a pang at the thought of Ishu moving abroad.

Ishu comes downstairs wearing her sister's dress and heels—an outfit she finds itchy and uncomfortable but believes is necessary for the occasion. She worries about looking like she's trying too hard. Hani reassures her, and they head to St. Stephen's Green to meet the group.

At the park, Aisling, Dee, Colm, and Barry are already there. Aisling suggests going to Captain America's for dinner. Ishu immediately objects, pointing out the restaurant isn't halal, and pulls out her phone to show a saved list of halal restaurants. Aisling dismisses the list, and the tension escalates. Hani intervenes, asking to speak with Ishu alone. Once the others leave, Hani scolds Ishu for jeopardizing the plan and reminds her of the Riverdale reference—a code for agreeing with Aisling and Dee. Ishu promises she'll become their new best friend by the end of the night.

Key Events

Hani texts Ishu early with detailed tips about Aisling and Dee's preferences, and they have a phone call where Ishu claims she's prepared.
Hani visits Ishu's house, where her father reveals Ishu's Cambridge aspirations and medical ambitions.
Ishu appears in a dress and heels, visibly uncomfortable but determined to make a good impression.
The group meets at St. Stephen's Green; Aisling proposes Captain America's for dinner.
Ishu objects because the restaurant isn't halal and presents a saved list of halal alternatives.
Hani pulls Ishu aside, scolds her, and reminds her of the Riverdale code.
Ishu vows to become Aisling and Dee's new best friend by night's end.

Character Development

Hani shows growing emotional investment in Ishu beyond the fake dating scheme. Her reaction to Ishu's Cambridge plans—feeling like “somebody has pulled the rug out from under me”—reveals her fear of losing Ishu just as they're becoming close. She also notices Ishu's halal restaurant list and feels something she doesn't want to feel, signaling her romantic feelings are deepening.

Ishu demonstrates a conflict between her authentic self and the social performance required for the Head Girl campaign. She wears an uncomfortable dress and heels to appear more malleable, yet she can't suppress her instinct to advocate for Hani's dietary needs. Her halal list shows genuine care for Hani, not just strategic politicking. Her promise to become Aisling and Dee's best friend suggests she's still committed to the plan, but her actions reveal her priorities are shifting.

Ishu's father provides a brief but meaningful glimpse into Ishu's family life and aspirations, reinforcing the class and ambition differences between Hani and Ishu.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Cultural sensitivity and care: Ishu's halal restaurant list is a concrete symbol of her consideration for Hani's needs. It contrasts with Aisling's dismissive attitude and shows that Ishu's care is genuine, not just performative.

Social performance and self-presentation: Ishu's dress and heels represent the costume she's willing to wear to fit in with Aisling and Dee. The discomfort she feels mirrors the discomfort of suppressing her true opinions.

Class differences: The mention of House of Fraser as a posh shop, contrasted with Hani's family's shopping habits, highlights the socioeconomic gap between the characters. Ishu's Cambridge ambitions further underscore this divide.

Future aspirations: Ishu's Cambridge plans introduce a new tension—the possibility that their connection may be temporary, which deepens Hani's emotional stakes.

The Riverdale code: The shared reference functions as an inside joke and a reminder of their fake dating strategy, but it also symbolizes their growing intimacy—a private language only they understand.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal because it exposes the cracks in the fake dating plan. Ishu's instinct to advocate for Hani's halal needs—even at the cost of the Head Girl campaign—reveals that her feelings are becoming real. Hani's reaction to Ishu's Cambridge plans and her emotional response to the halal list show that she, too, is developing genuine attachment. The chapter also introduces a new source of tension: the possibility of separation after graduation, which raises the stakes for their relationship. Finally, the conflict over the restaurant choice demonstrates that Ishu's authenticity is both her greatest strength and the biggest threat to their scheme.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Ishu object to Captain America's despite the plan to agree with Aisling?

Ishu objects because the restaurant isn't halal, meaning Hani would have limited options. Her objection stems from genuine care for Hani's dietary needs, not just strategic thinking. She has even prepared a list of halal restaurants, showing she's thought ahead about Hani's comfort. This moment reveals that Ishu's feelings for Hani are overriding her commitment to the Head Girl plan.

2. How does the halal restaurant list reveal Ishu's true feelings?

The list, saved on her phone, shows that Ishu has been thinking about future outings with Hani beyond the fake dating arrangement. Hani herself notes that the list implies Ishu expected to spend more time with her “as friends.” The list is evidence of Ishu's genuine care and investment in Hani's well-being, contradicting the purely strategic nature of their arrangement.

3. What does Hani's reaction to Ishu's Cambridge plans reveal about her feelings?

Hani feels a physical and emotional jolt when she learns about Cambridge—she describes it as having the rug pulled out from under her. This reaction reveals that she's already attached to Ishu and fears losing her. It also highlights the differences in their futures: Ishu has a clear, ambitious path while Hani hasn't figured out her own plans. This moment deepens Hani's emotional stakes in their relationship.