The Finished Man 2 - The Beginning of the End

He’s texting now. Not at 5:59 a.m. anymore — but at odd hours when the ache sharpens. When memories turn to thoughts, and thoughts to shaky drafts he reads twice before hitting send. “Hey, just checking on you.”“Hope your day’s going well.”“Let me know if you’d like to talk.” Delivered. Not read. Once, he’d known the rhythm of her replies. Now, even silence has a tone — and this one says distance. She doesn’t block him. Doesn’t tell him to stop. Instead, she says, “I have so many things going on.”“Sorry, I’ve been overwhelmed.”“Too many unread messages.” He’s read enough between the lines to know: if someone really wanted to talk to you, you wouldn’t be part of the unread. She hasn’t said it outright — that she’s done.But she doesn’t need to.Her delay says it. Her silence says it. Her calm detachment says it louder than words ever could. But deep down, he knew — people always have something going on. But when you matter, they make room. They show up. Even in chaos. Especially in chaos. He’s seen her show up for others. Seen her send lengthy voice notes to friends when she herself was barely holding it together. So what does that make him now? A ghost with a phone number. Still, he fights — not with long calls. But with presence.With consistency.With those small messages that hope to catch her heart off guard. But it’s not working. And he’s beginning to understand something painful:When someone no longer wants the feeling, they start creating space.And to really be free of someone, they need boundaries. He’s seen it before — affection doesn’t die in a moment. It fades like perfume, needing distance and time. And right now, she’s curating both. Gently. Quietly. Finally. So he stops mid-text one night. Not because he doesn’t care.But because maybe he’s the only one who still does. And maybe the most respectful thing love can do — when it’s no longer returned — is to bow out. Gracefully. So he types one last message:“I won’t keep reaching out. Not because I don’t care. But because I finally understand. Thank you… for everything.” Then, he deletes it. Not because he changed his mind.But because he’s tired of trying to be unforgettable to someone who’s already forgetting. It hurts.But it’s honest.And sometimes, that’s the only closure you get.

Other insights from Adedeji Adeoba

Referral Earning

Points-to-Coupons