If Only You Knew You Still Up?

A late-night message. A reply you didn’t expect

Present Me-

You still up?

Rhea~

Seriously?

Present Me-

Yeah… Didn’t know if you'd even read this.

Rhea~

Didn’t know if you’d even dare message again

Present Me-

I know .I shouldn’t have waited this long.

Past Me~

Or maybe I shouldn’t be texting at all..

Rhea~

Then why are you?

Present Me-

Because something in me still aches when I think of..

Present Me-

And tonight… it’s loud.

Rhea~

A little late for aching, don’t you think?

Present Me-

Late? Yeah...But not fake.

Rhea~

You ghosted me with half a heart and a full ego. And now you show up with regrets?

Present Me-

I didn’t ghost you…

Past Me~

I ghosted myself.

Present Me-

I wasn’t someone worth staying for back then

Rhea~

You were selfish. You played hot and cold like it was a game.

Present Me-

I know. And I lost you because of it.

Present Me-

I’m not here to justify anything — I just… miss the version of me that existed only around you.

Rhea~

The version who cracked jokes after fights? Or flirted his way out of accountability?

Present Me-

The one who cared deeply but didn’t know how to show it right.

Past Me~

I was immature.

Past Me~

You deserved someone who didn’t make love feel like a guessing game.

Rhea~

You confused love with attention. And apologies with resets.

Present Me-

And you confused silence with moving on?

Rhea~

No...I just got tired of fighting for space in your heart

Present Me-

I cleared it out. There’s still a room with your name on the door.

Rhea~

But some rooms are too dusty to return to.

Present Me-

Maybe. But if you ever feel like opening the window... I’ll be sitting there — older, softer, realer.

Rhea~

Hmm...What changed?

Present Me-

Everything.

Present Me-

Because I finally learned what it means to lose something real.

Present Me-

And how it feels to be haunted by “what ifs.”

Rhea~

So what now?

Present Me-

Nothing...No expectations.

Present Me-

Just… if you’re still up some nights, like me —

Present Me-

Maybe talk to me again...Not as the boy you left.

Feelings~

But the man who never forgot.

If you made it this far… Thank you.

For reading not just a story, but a version of someone’s truth.

Some stories aren’t about getting someone back— just finally saying what was left unsaid. If this reminded you of someone... maybe they were never really gone...

Thnx you all!!