after that day, i never talked to him again. i stopped messaging him. i stopped checking his profile, stopped finding reasons to reach out, and stopped hoping for a message from him. and even when something reminded me of him, i didn't search his name or ask how he was. it wasn't easy, because what we had was real. but missing someone isn't always a reason to disturb their peace or mine. i still think of him sometimes, and i wonder if he thinks of me, too. but i no longer wait. i've already made peace with his absence and learned to carry the love without needing the person. if he wanted to come back, he would have. and since he hasn't, i take that as my answer.