and atter that, i never disturbed him again. i stopped messaging him, stopped checking his profile, stopped thinking of reasons to reach out, and stopped hoping for a message from him. even when something reminded me of him, i didn't do anything. i didn't search for his name. i didn't ask anyone how he was. it wasn't easy. because it was real. and it was ours. but missing someone isn't always a reason to disturb their peace. and my peace. so i kept my distance. i let the silence speak for me. i still think of him sometimes. i still wonder if he ever thinks of me too. but even though a small part of me still hopes he remembers me kindly, i no longer wait for him. i've made peace with his absence. i've learned to carry the love without needing the person. and so, i never disturbed him again. not because i don't care, but because i care enough about myself to not keep waiting for someone who's already gone. and because i know that if he wanted to come back, he would. and since he hasn't, i take that as my answer.