Chapter summaries Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating Adiba Jaigirdar

Chapter 45 Summary: Key Events and Analysis

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This page discusses the full events of chapter 45, including the election assembly and its aftermath.

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Summary

On Monday morning, Hani arrives at school with a single goal: find Ishu, talk to her, and fix everything. She skips her own locker—which sits next to Aisling's and Dee's—and heads straight to Ishu's. She finds Ishu staring into her locker with a distant look, clearly nervous about the upcoming Head Girl presentations. Hani taps her shoulder and offers a box of red-velvet cupcakes that her Amma helped her bake, with icing spelling out “VOTE ISHITA #1.” She hopes to use the treats to win over voters and support Ishu's campaign.

But Ishu reacts with cold fury. She steps away from Hani, slams her locker shut, and tells her she doesn't want her help. When Hani tries to explain, Ishu corrects her: “Ishita,” and then says, “Leave me alone.” She pushes past Hani and disappears into the crowd. Hani is crushed—she's been reduced to a stranger, someone who doesn't know Ishu at all, even though they've held hands and shared late-night thoughts.

When the bell rings, the fifth years file into the main hall for the Head Girl presentations. Hani spots Aisling and Dee sitting near the front, slumped and whispering. She deliberately chooses a seat at the very back, as far from them as possible. Determined to help Ishu despite the rejection, she pulls out the cupcakes and approaches a group of girls—Hannah, Yasmin, and Sinéad—asking if they plan to vote for Ishita. Sinéad immediately brings up the cheating rumor, saying she's not sure anyone should vote for someone like that. Hani insists Ishu didn't cheat, that everything was cleared up, and then—glancing at Aisling—she blurts out that Aisling was the one who cheated. The girls look stunned, but Hani pushes the cupcakes forward and tells them to vote for Ishu. They each take one, though they don't look convinced.

Hani manages to give out a few more cupcakes and repeat her defense of Ishu before Principal Gallagher takes the stage. Gallagher welcomes the fifth years and explains the importance of choosing a Head Girl and deputy, acting as if they're selecting the next president of Ireland. She introduces the four candidates: Alex, Siobhán, Maya, and Ishu. Alex speaks about her leadership experience, Siobhán echoes similar points with more smiles, and Maya focuses on planning the debs, complete with a PowerPoint. The crowd responds enthusiastically to Maya.

Finally, it's Ishu's turn. She steps to the mic, introduces herself as Ishita Dey, and takes a shaky breath. She says she's the best person for the job because she's consistently at the top of her classes, but her speech is interrupted by coughs that sound like “cheater” and “liar.” Ishu pauses and looks to Principal Gallagher, hoping she'll set the record straight, but Gallagher stares blankly into the distance. Ishu clears her throat and announces that she is formally withdrawing from the race. Gallagher tries to interject, but Ishu is already rushing off the stage and toward the exit, holding her head high as whispers and giggles fill the hall.

Hani, without thinking, rushes up to the stage. She declares to the entire hall that Ishita is not a cheater, that everyone is daft to believe Aisling's lies. She turns to Aisling, who glares back, and then to Principal Gallagher, demanding to know why she's letting Ishu take the blame when Gallagher knows Aisling cheated. Gallagher, acting as if she hasn't heard a word, thanks the three candidates and dismisses the students. As the hall empties, Gallagher turns to Hani and warns her that she can't make such accusations in front of the whole year. Hani insists it's the truth, but Gallagher claims she and Ishu have an “understanding” about Aisling, and that Aisling will be punished—but dragging her name through the mud violates the school's zero-tolerance bullying policy. Gallagher tells Hani to get back to class. Hani steps down, angry and defeated, knowing that speaking to Gallagher is pointless.

Key Events

  • Hani attempts to reconcile with Ishu, offering cupcakes and support, but Ishu rejects her harshly.

  • The fifth-year assembly for Head Girl presentations takes place; Alex, Siobhán, and Maya give speeches, with Maya's debs-focused presentation drawing cheers.

  • Ishu's speech is interrupted by heckles of “cheater” and “liar,” and she withdraws from the election.

  • Hani publicly defends Ishu, accusing Aisling of cheating and questioning Principal Gallagher's silence.

  • Principal Gallagher dismisses the students and privately warns Hani about making accusations, citing a zero-tolerance bullying policy and an “understanding” with Ishu.

  • Hani leaves the stage feeling angry and defeated.

Character Development

Hani shows remarkable growth in this chapter. Despite Ishu's cold rejection, she remains committed to helping Ishu, even going so far as to publicly confront the entire year and the principal. Her decision to speak out—especially after being humiliated by Ishu—demonstrates a new level of courage and selflessness. She's no longer the passive, people-pleasing Hani we saw earlier; she's willing to risk her own social standing to defend someone she cares about. However, her anger and frustration at the end reveal that she's still learning how to channel that courage effectively.

Ishu is at her lowest point. She's withdrawn, distant, and clearly overwhelmed by the cheating accusations. Her decision to withdraw from the election is a surrender to the pressure, but it also shows a sense of pride—she refuses to stand on a stage and be humiliated. Her harsh treatment of Hani suggests she's pushing people away to protect herself, but it also reflects her deep hurt and sense of betrayal.

Aisling remains an antagonist, but her role here is more about the power of rumor and the institutional protection she receives. She doesn't speak, but her presence and the whispers she's started drive the entire conflict.

Principal Gallagher is revealed as complicit in the injustice. She knows the truth about Aisling but chooses to protect her, using the bullying policy as a threat to silence Hani. Her “understanding” with Ishu suggests a behind-the-scenes deal that prioritizes the school's reputation over truth.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Loyalty vs. Betrayal: Hani's loyalty to Ishu is tested and proven, while Aisling's betrayal of both Hani and Ishu is exposed. The chapter contrasts Hani's selfless support with Ishu's rejection and Aisling's manipulation.

  • Institutional Injustice: Principal Gallagher's refusal to correct the record, despite knowing the truth, highlights how institutions can protect the powerful and silence the innocent. The zero-tolerance bullying policy is weaponized against Hani, not against the actual bully.

  • Rumor and Gossip: The heckles of “cheater” and “liar” show how quickly rumors spread and how they can destroy a person's reputation. The girls' willingness to believe Aisling without evidence underscores the danger of gossip.

  • Ambition and Self-Sacrifice: Ishu's ambition to become Head Girl is crushed by the scandal, while Hani sacrifices her own comfort and safety to defend Ishu. The chapter explores the cost of ambition when it's tainted by false accusations.

  • The Cupcakes as a Symbol: The cupcakes Hani brings represent her attempt to win over voters through kindness and sweetness, but they also symbolize her naivety—she believes that sugar can overcome prejudice. The fact that they're largely ineffective highlights the depth of the rumor's hold.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point in the novel. It marks the public climax of the cheating scandal and forces Hani to take a definitive stand. Her confrontation with Principal Gallagher exposes the systemic failure of the school to protect Ishu, and it sets up the consequences that will ripple into the final chapters. Ishu's withdrawal from the election removes the immediate goal of the fake dating scheme, forcing both characters to confront their real feelings and the true nature of their relationship. Hani's public defense, even though it fails to change the outcome, demonstrates her growth and commitment, and it plants the seeds for a potential reconciliation—or a deeper rift. The chapter also raises important questions about truth, power, and the cost of speaking out, making it essential to the novel's themes.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Hani decide to publicly defend Ishu, even after Ishu rejected her help?

Hani is motivated by her promise to help Ishu become Head Girl and by her genuine belief in Ishu's innocence. She's also driven by her frustration with the injustice of the situation—she knows Aisling cheated, and she can't stand to see Ishu take the blame. Her public outburst is impulsive, but it reflects her growing courage and her refusal to let the truth be silenced.

2. How does Principal Gallagher's response to Hani's accusation reveal the school's priorities?

Gallagher's response prioritizes the school's reputation and the protection of Aisling over the truth. She claims there's an “understanding” with Ishu, implying a deal that keeps the scandal quiet. She also uses the zero-tolerance bullying policy to threaten Hani, framing Hani's truthful accusation as bullying. This shows that the institution is more concerned with maintaining order and avoiding scandal than with justice.

3. What does Ishu's withdrawal from the election signify about her character at this point?

Ishu's withdrawal signifies her defeat and her decision to stop fighting a battle she believes she can't win. It's a moment of surrender, but also of dignity—she refuses to be publicly humiliated any further. Her withdrawal also isolates her, as she's already pushed Hani away, leaving her alone in her pain. This moment sets up the possibility for her to reassess what she truly wants, beyond the Head Girl position.

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