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We laugh until my ribs hurt, and my heart aches, and this moment solidifies as a memory in my mind.
The day Zayan Amin became my friend.
TRENDING INTERNATIONALLY: #Zarah
Theatre Guru
Published 25 October 2021
CHEMISTRY – MORE THAN A SCHOOL SUBJECT?
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE LSDCATS
As you all know, The London School of Dramatic and Creative Arts Theatre Society has years of prestige. They’ve performed numerous plays, they’ve entertained hundreds of audiences and we are incredibly excited to share an exclusive quote from the director of this year’s play, Henry John Findon.
‘In my humble opinion, a play only does well when the people chosen to play the leads have chemistry. That is what makes or breaks a play. Especially when you are performing a romantic tragedy like Romeo and Juliet.
‘Our actors, Mary Whitter for Juliet and Rowan Kent for Romeo, are incredible. If I didn’t know them beyond the stage, I’d think that they truly were in love. That is what makes this rendition of Romeo and Juliet so special. Our leads care for one another beyond the roles they’re meant to play, and that translates on stage.
‘Clearly, we are very lucky that our leads like and respect one another. Not every play can say the same.’
You’re absolutely right, Henry, and I’m sure the public is going to be beyond excited to watch your Romeo and Juliet – especially with those sparks flying!
CHAPTER NINETEEN
For the last couple of days, we hadn’t had to worry about the LSDCATS. Their only retaliation to our TikTok Live Q&A had been a quote from Henry about ‘chemistry’, which was an obvious attempt to make it seem like Zayan and I still had none. Nur had had the brilliant idea of releasing a clip on The Tragedies TikTok account of Zayan and I acting together – thereby showing just how much chemistry we do have. It had led to a lot more people shipping us together than the LSDCATS’ lead actors.
All that success meant we’d needed a celebration. David had had an idea for a group date involving the whole cast and crew. We’d gone to watch The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie, a classic play that has been running on stage for thirty-eight years – nothing dissolves the social anxiety of theatre students better than contemplating fake murders.
It had been a fun day – essential for Zayan and me, because it had given us an excuse to hang out and return to our normal tempo, without that awkward post-fight phase. We also hadn’t talked about the whole I think you’re attractive/Oh, me too conversation we’d had outside the Limelight.
But that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped thinking about it.
‘Hypothetically, what does it mean when a guy calls you enchanting?’ I ask, voicing my thoughts aloud.
Amal, who is sitting opposite me at our very small dining table, shares a look with Maha. Our differing schedules make it hard for Amal, Maha and I to hang out as often as we used to. But then we have times like this, where we stay up till late, just eating a takeaway round our dining table, chatting about the most random things. Nothing is off limits. Global warming, the price of petrol and, in my case, the things Zayan says to me.
‘I’d say he was pretty into you,’ Amal replies, leaning back in her chair to give me an appraising look. ‘I mean, most guys don’t go around dropping words like that for any girl. Owais sure doesn’t.’
‘Please don’t tell me all the romantic things my cousin says to you,’ Maha interjects, looking queasy. ‘I still can’t believe you two went from rivals to crushes to rivals again to partners, only to end up as soon-to-be-engaged-and-making-single-people-jealous, all in the span of a year.’
Amal grins, her eyes sparkling with delight. Usually I would tease Maha about her cousin falling in love with her best friend, but right now I still need the answer to a question that won’t stop blaring in my mind.
‘OK,’ I interrupt, pulling their attention back to me. ‘But – again – hypothetically, if he followed it up with, let’s say, wanting to be friends, what would that mean?’
‘Did Zayan say he just wants to be friends with you?’ Maha asks, eyes widening. ‘Everyone thinks you two are together!’
‘No, no!’ I rush to fix my mistake, mentally smacking myself for even trying to bring this up with my friends. ‘Not him. Anushka. D-David called her “enchanting” but then said he just wanted to be friends.’
Note to self: tell Anushka and David that I have added them to my very, very elaborate lie.
‘Oh.’ Maha deflates. ‘Well, yeah, I mean, he’s probably not interested in her, then. He could be attracted to her, sure, but it obviously means he’s holding himself back from acting on it. But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing – if David knows that he’s in a place where he can’t give Anushka anything solid, or anything she wants, then it’s smart for him to set up that boundary. He’s preserving their friendship.’
I turn to Amal, waiting to see if she agrees. When she nods, something akin to disappointment flutters in my chest. I know I should be happy that Zayan is respecting the rules we set up when we started this partnership; I should be relieved that he’s so clear about his intentions.
But this conversation now marks the official death of my celebrity crush. Zayan is firmly in friend territory. No more thinking that his looks might mean something more, or that his smiles might have hidden meanings. No crossing lines. Just friends.
‘Thanks, guys,’ I say, trying to keep my tone upbeat. Amal’s eyes narrow on me, and I avoid looking directly at her. ‘I’ll pass this on to Anushka.’
