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Zayan’s mouth twists with displeasure, and I already know more venom is about to explode out of him.
‘Stop it,’ I intervene, ‘all of you. But especially you, Zayan.’
His jaw slackens, letting out a noise of disbelief from the back of his throat. ‘You cannot be serious.’
‘Dead serious.’
‘Farah –’
‘No,’ I reply resoundingly. ‘You’re not going to accuse my friends of leaking information to the press when there’s a clear, obvious, logical reason why this went live.’
Zayan raises a brow.
‘Look, it was probably one of the assistants from the photography crew. Or anyone who saw you leaving the Limelight. You said it yourself: the paparazzi hide in plain sight. Would it be so hard to connect the dots?’
A contemplative quiet fills the theatre, and while the suspicion doesn’t exactly melt away from Zayan’s eyes, his arguments are silenced. For now.
I turn back to The Tragedies, expecting their fury, their rage, their offence. But I’m not prepared for the shock painted across their faces – an eyes-widened, mouth-slightly-ajar kind of disbelief that only comes when you’ve been entirely stumped.
‘What?’ I ask, confused, as hints of guilt start to bleed into their shock.
No one says anything, and it takes a second for my brain to catch up with all the cues. The realization hits me hard, like a punch to my solar plexus.
They didn’t think I was going to defend them. They thought I’d side with Zayan.
‘Regardless of the leak –’ I soldier on, like I’m not hurt by the idea of The Tragedies thinking I’d so easily discard them – ‘we’re a team. All of us. This play needs all our involvement in equal measure, because inevitably we’re all going to have an impact on how this play runs. So, let’s decide how we’re going to tackle this.’
Anushka breaks the silence first. ‘Whatever we do, it shouldn’t reflect badly on you, Farah. You should be protected from any negative press.’
‘I agree,’ Ben chimes in, and a murmur of matching yeses falls out of David and Nur.
‘Let’s confirm our selected actors for the cast list now, and then we’ll release a counter-statement and the cast list tonight.’ Zayan interrupts the moment, sounding entirely unruffled – as if he wasn’t practically volcanic before. His arms are still folded, but he’s now scrolling through his phone, a small furrow pinching his brows together. ‘Lacey already has one drafted and can have it out in an hour. It’ll outline how I was incredibly enthused to be a part of this, grateful for the opportunity, highlighting the importance of the play for marginalized voices.’
We all stare at Zayan, and he only notices when he glances away from his phone.
He shrugs and gives us all a pointed look. ‘I like to be prepared for all possibilities.’
I let my eyelids shut briefly and shake my head. ‘Of course you do.’
@TheLSDCATS: A gentle reminder to all of you out there that theatre was crafted for the underdogs. For those searching for a place in this world. Not necessarily for those who have already made it big, who have reached their own stardom. Today, we call for positivity in the theatre community, for respect between all of us and for support for the underdogs. Always.
The Gossip Queen
Published 8 October 2021
ZAYAN AMIN’S NEW PLAY
AHHH!!
That was my reaction when I heard Zayan Amin is starring in a new play. We’re salivating for all the details, but what we do know is: it’s a forbidden love story.
CUE: SWOONING
Even better, an inside source told us that Zayan and his rumoured new flame, Farah Sheikh, were seen together recently! If the photo of them outside the Bubble-Me-Mine boba store is any indication of their chemistry, I suggest the front row prepare themselves for the sparks flying on stage.
And I don’t know about you, but if I have to pick between plays opening on the same night, I’m going to pick Zayan Amin’s play. Especially if those LSDCATS are a bunch of racists!
We’ll keep our eyes open for the new couple, and anything/everything that’s got to do with our favourite heart-throb. And we promise to keep you, Zay’s loyal fans, updated!
