Chapter 25 Summary and 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
After leaving the Luas, Hani steps into an unseasonably heavy downpour—not the usual Irish drizzle but a proper soaking rain. She runs to the bus stop, arriving drenched, and the thought crosses her mind that being with Ishu always seems to leave her wet. On the bus, she checks her phone and finds three missed calls from Ishu and six messages in the group chat with Dee and Aisling. She swipes away the notifications, turns on Spotify at full volume, and stares out the window, using music and the rain to block out the thoughts she's trying to suppress.
Later, when she wakes, she reads the group chat: Dee and Aisling are enthusiastic about the previous night, saying Ishu was fun and different from her usual school self. They propose a movie day together. Hani declines, saying she can't do it that day and suggesting next weekend. She also sees a direct message from Ishu asking, “are we good?” Hani doesn't know how to answer because she isn't sure they are good, but she doesn't want Ishu to know that. She sends a thumbs-up emoji and hopes that ends the conversation.
Hani desperately wants to talk to someone about what happened—the way Ishu looked at her, the question Ishu asked—but she can't confide in her mother. Amma always gives excellent advice, but Hani is certain Amma has never fake-dated a girl and then developed real feelings. And because the whole arrangement is a lie, Hani can't tell Amma the truth; Amma would insist on coming clean to everyone, which would ruin the progress with her friends and jeopardize Ishu's Head Girl campaign. Still, Hani finds comfort in knowing Amma is there.
She goes to Amma's room and asks if they can watch a movie together. Amma, sensing something is off, asks about the date. Hani says it was fine and nice but that it rained and she got soaked and now feels a little sickly. Amma isn't convinced but agrees. She suggests making akhni, Hani's favorite Sylheti biryani, but Hani argues that akhni takes too long and persuades Amma to order biryani from Suraj Uncle's restaurant instead. Amma, who dislikes takeout when she can cook better at home, reluctantly concedes.
An hour later, they sit together with plates of biryani (not as good as akhni) and watch the Bollywood film Khoobsurat starring Sonam Kapoor and Fawad Khan. For a little while, Hani manages to pretend her problems don't exist.
Key Events
-
Hani gets caught in a heavy downpour and arrives at the bus stop soaked.
-
She ignores missed calls from Ishu and messages from Dee and Aisling, using music to drown out her thoughts.
-
Dee and Aisling suggest a movie day with the group; Hani declines, citing unavailability.
-
Ishu texts “are we good?” and Hani replies with a thumbs-up emoji, avoiding a real answer.
-
Hani asks Amma to watch a movie, but cannot explain her real distress because of the fake dating secret.
-
Amma suggests making akhni; Hani convinces her to order biryani from Suraj Uncle's restaurant instead.
-
They eat biryani and watch Khoobsurat, giving Hani a temporary escape.
Character Development
Hani is the focal point of this chapter. Her internal conflict intensifies as she grapples with the possibility of real feelings for Ishu. She actively suppresses her thoughts, using music and rain as distractions, and avoids direct communication with Ishu by sending a thumbs-up instead of addressing the question. Her inability to confide in Amma—because the fake dating is a lie—highlights the emotional cost of secrecy. She seeks comfort in her mother's presence, but only partially, because she cannot reveal the truth. This chapter shows Hani's vulnerability and her tendency to retreat into familiar comforts (food, film, family) when faced with emotional turmoil.
Amma is perceptive and caring. She notices Hani's unease and asks about the date, but doesn't push when Hani deflects. Her willingness to compromise on the biryani (despite preferring homemade akhni) shows her flexibility and desire to make Hani feel better. Amma's role as a source of wisdom and comfort is reinforced, even though Hani can't fully access it.
Ishu appears only through texts, but her question “are we good?” reveals her own uncertainty and desire for reassurance. Hani's evasive response leaves their relationship in a fragile state, setting up future tension.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
-
Rain as a motif: The downpour mirrors Hani's emotional state—overwhelming, inescapable, and connected to Ishu. The rain also serves as a physical manifestation of the messiness of her feelings.
-
Music as distraction: Hani turns up the volume to drown out her thoughts, symbolizing her attempt to avoid confronting her emotions.
-
Secrecy and deception: The fake dating lie prevents Hani from seeking the advice she needs. She can't tell Amma the truth, so she must navigate her feelings alone, highlighting the isolating nature of deception.
-
Cultural comfort food: Biryani (and the preference for akhni) represents home, family, and cultural identity. The shared meal with Amma provides a temporary sense of safety and normalcy.
-
Bollywood film as escape: Khoobsurat offers Hani a fantasy world where problems are resolved easily, contrasting with her own complicated reality.
-
Friendship dynamics: Dee and Aisling's positive reaction to Ishu creates pressure on Hani—she can't back out of the fake dating now that her friends are on board, which deepens her dilemma.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point for Hani's emotional arc. It makes explicit that her feelings for Ishu are becoming real, while the fake dating arrangement remains a barrier to honesty. Hani's avoidance of Ishu's text and her refusal to join the group movie day show that she is not ready to face the consequences of her actions. The chapter also emphasizes the theme of secrecy: Hani's inability to talk to Amma—the person she would normally turn to—underscores how the lie has cut her off from support. The quiet domestic scene with Amma and biryani provides a moment of respite, but it's temporary, and the reader senses that Hani's problems will resurface. This chapter sets up the emotional stakes for the rest of the novel, as Hani must eventually decide whether to continue the deception or risk everything by being honest.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Hani decline the movie day with Dee, Aisling, and Ishu?
Hani declines because she is not ready to face Ishu after the previous night's events. She is confused about her feelings and doesn't want to pretend everything is fine in front of her friends. She also suspects Ishu doesn't want to go either, so she uses the excuse of being unavailable to avoid the situation.
2. How does Hani's relationship with Amma change in this chapter?
Hani still seeks comfort from Amma, but the fake dating secret creates a barrier. She cannot tell Amma the real reason for her distress, so she only shares a partial truth (that she got soaked and feels sickly). Amma senses something is off but doesn't push, showing their close bond while also highlighting the limits imposed by Hani's deception.
3. What role does the biryani and movie scene play in the chapter?
The scene provides a temporary escape for Hani. The familiar comfort of biryani (even if not as good as akhni) and the Bollywood film allow her to pretend her problems don't exist. It also reinforces the theme of cultural comfort and maternal care, offering a brief respite before the emotional conflict resumes.