I chose someone else.
Not because I stopped loving you̶
God knows I never did.
But because he stayed, and you didnʼt.
Then suddenly,
you came back
like it was easy.
Like time had waited for you.
You texted again.
Called again.
Came by with that old familiar smile
and said, "I broke up with her."
And my heart, stupid and aching,
almost reached for you.
But I didnʼt.
I couldnʼt.
Because someone else
was holding the pieces
you never cared to gather.
And then, that night,
on the phone,
with your voice softer than ever,
I said, "Iʼm getting married."
You went quiet.
For five long seconds
that felt like the last five years
I waited.
Then you said,
"I donʼt promise Iʼll come."
And I said,
"Okay. But I hope you do."
And you replied,
"I call you later."
You never did.
But for once,
I didnʼt wait.