and after that last message, i never bothered him again. i stopped checking his profile, stopped making excuses to reach out, and stopped waiting for a message from him. it wasn't easy, but missing someone isn't a reason to break their peace or mine. so i kept my distance and let the silence speak for me. i still think of him sometimes. but i don't wait for him anymore. i've made peace with his absence, and i've learned how to carry the love without needing the person. so i never bothered him again. because i know if he wanted to come back, he would have. but since he hasn't, i take that as my answer.