<Kevin's POV>
"Hey bro, let's work on the chorus," I nudged Avi on.
It was three in the morning. I had never seen him in this state. This was not like the other times when Kim came around to visit. Usually it took a much shorter time for him to return to his old self. Esther had mentioned earlier in the day that Kim hadn't been picking up his calls, neither had she returned them.
"Hmmm?" He turned from looking out the window.
"Maybe she's just busy getting back to work and all Avi?"
He trudged back to his space on the couch.
"I feel like I've lost her Kev. Something's just not right."
It was tough convincing Avi otherwise. It wasn't like Kim to stay away from us this long. I hadn't heard from her in a month. Even her Twitter page was surprisingly dormant. The rest of the group and I had met in Avi's absence to talk about how to turn him around.
"I'm kinda pissed at her," Mitch was the first to say. "I mean, Avi's been the nicest to her. We all have. He loves her so much. It feels like we've all been had!"
"Hey Mitch, maybe there's something we don't know..." Kirsten tried to rationalise.
"It feels like Kim's leaving Avi," Scott spoke after listening to the others. "But why accept a proposal and then throw it all away? I mean they've sacrificed so much to be together and they've been through this much..."
"Okay, key thing here guys is we've got this EP to work on." Esther started. "I need to get Avi into the studio and I need your help. As far as possible, we help him to cope. Whatever it is, we have to be there for him. I'd like to sit Kim down and give her a slap across the face to wake her up and see what she's doing to Avi too but that's not our main priority now. I want my brother back as much as you all do."
So we had agreed. The priority was to help Avi forget. I, on the other hand, had plans of my own. I needed to get in touch with Kim.
After I had finally sent Avi home, I logged on to a private Skype account which Kim wasn't familiar with. Just when I was about to make the call, my computer alerted me to a new request on my Facebook account. Someone had asked for me to be their friend - someone who went by the name of Invisible Miles 143. The message attached read:
How's that scratch on Beyonce doing?
It was Kim. I'd asked her to hold my cello recently one evening while we were at rehearsals in Scott and Mitch's apartment and the ring Avi had given her left a slight nick on the side of it. She had been so apologetic and even offered to buy me a new one. I told her it wasn't a problem and I'd be able to get it fixed in no time. As expected, Esther had managed to get a music shop down town to 'restore' the paintwork and she was as good as new. I couldn't refuse the barbaque buffet that Kim offered to treat me to though.
Never better. I can't say the same about Avi though. I quickly typed. It was a bittersweet moment to have finally heard from her.
There was a long pause.
Kim, you there?
Yes. Still here Kev.
What's going on?
I couldn't help noticing that she took longer than usual to reply.
How is he?
Avi's not himself Kim. He's lost his appetite, he is so uninspired when he sings, we're all trying to get him out of this rutt.
I'm sure he'll be ok. I know you guys will take good care of him. He'll move on eventually.
Was that her plan? I could hardly believe the words that appeared on my screen.
Kim, why? You love Avi don't you?
There was another long pause.
Is he going to be ok?
I asked you a question Kim, you haven't answered it. He's my best friend. How could you do this? You accepted his proposal! You could've said no.
Remember that time when we had this conversation..just you and me...one evening after a concert. You said I'd never hurt anyone or do anything without good reason?
That had been a good year ago. I vaguely remembered telling her that I thought she was one of the sweetest, kindest people I'd ever met. Her intentions were always good, although sometimes misunderstood.
That's not good enough Kim. Avi's torn. He deserves an explanation.
I know. But I need to be able to trust you Kevin...you cannot tell this to anyone...at least until things get better...
Better? Things couldn't get any worse! I have to tell him Kim! You're the only person who can help him come out of this.
No! It will hurt both of us.
I can't do this Kim. It's hurting me already enough as it is looking at Avi everyday. It's like he's lost his soul.
I waited.
Kim?
The user is now offline. Your message will be sent once the user is online.
I pushed my chair back and hung my head between my knees. Would knowing really hurt Avi any more than it already did not knowing? Now that I had been able to contact Kim, I would already be keeping a secret from Avi. What I couldn't understand was why Kim had chosen to tell me. I am Avi's best mate! Surely she would have known how difficult it would be for me to keep this from him.
Frustrated, I took a shower to clear my head, leaving my computer on. I took Beyonce out and started playing a rendition of Natural Disaster.
Maybe Mitch was right, maybe Kim really was playing all of us...but it just doesn't make sense...
My thoughts swirled as my cello playing began to crescendo.
Unless...unless something sudden, something unexpected has happened.
I recalled Kim's words - It would hurt the both of us.
What would hurt Avi?
My thoughts brought me back to when Kim was in hospital. Avi was doing everything to keep it together. Maybe something had happened to Kim. A side effect? Relapse?
I needed to get in touch with the doctor from Singapore to know more about Kim's progress but I had no access as only Avi was named as her next of kin.
Perfect.
YOU ARE READING
Invisible Miles
FantasyAvi and Kim are in a long distance relationship. Everything is perfect sans the distance and Avi feels they are ready for the next step in their relationship until Kim's fate takes a turn. Will their relationship be strong enough to support this une...
