The Silence Between Us: When Real Life Isn’t A Book

You ever catch yourself waiting for a text that never comes? The one you know you shouldn’t be expecting but a part of you still checks your phone anyway? The truth is, sometimes silence hurts worse than rejection. Because at least rejection gives you an answer. Silence gives you hope, and that’s the most dangerous part.

It’s funny how we can read about men like Judah Cross and start to believe maybe just maybe that kind of love is possible. The kind that lingers in the quiet moments, the kind that feels written in fate. Judah had Soledad’s number. He was interested. He felt something. Yet, he didn’t reach out. And for a while, Soledad sat in that silence, wondering, questioning, waiting. But here’s the difference in fiction, silence builds tension.

In real life, it builds confusion.

The Waiting Game

There’s something about the waiting that gets under your skin. You tell yourself you’re fine that you’re busy, that you don’t care but deep down, you feel the pause. You start to think, Maybe I should’ve said something different. Maybe he’s just shy. Maybe it’s me.

It’s not just the lack of contact that hurts; it’s the internal dialogue that fills the space. You start creating stories to make sense of someone’s inaction. But the truth is, no response is a response.

When Judah stayed silent, readers could justify it. “He’s complicated,” “He’s protecting her,” “He needs time.” And maybe in the book, that makes sense. But in real life, silence is often the loudest form of clarity.

Effort Speaks Louder Than Potential

We love the idea of potential. We cling to it.

We tell ourselves, “He likes me, he just doesn’t know how to show it.”

But a man who wants to reach out will. You shouldn’t have to interpret effort. You shouldn’t have to read between the lines to feel chosen. Fiction makes room for suspense and delayed confessions. Real life doesn’t owe us that same luxury. If he wanted to, he would.

And if he hasn’t that’s your answer.

Judah not calling Soledad made sense for the story. But when it happens off the page when it’s your phone that’s quiet, it’s time to stop making excuses and start facing the truth.

The Difference Between Fiction and Reality

Books allow us to romanticize things we should probably walk away from in real life. We forgive fictional men for silence, distance, and emotional unavailability because we trust the author will redeem them. But in real life, there’s no guaranteed character arc.

There’s no promise that the man who ghosted you today will show up with flowers and growth tomorrow. And that’s where we have to be honest with ourselves as women, to separate the fantasy from the facts. In fiction, silence can mean he’s conflicted. In real life, silence often means he’s uninterested. That’s not bitterness. That’s reality.

The Hard Truth About Silence

When a man doesn’t contact you, he’s communicating something even if it’s not what you wanted to hear. Silence isn’t always cruel; sometimes it’s clarity disguised as distance.

You deserve a man who’s not afraid to reach out. Someone who doesn’t need perfect timing to choose you. Someone who doesn’t keep you guessing. Because the truth is, when someone really wants you in their life, they make space for you. They don’t let pride, fear, or timing stop them.

They show up consistently.

It’s easy to fall for potential to think maybe he’s healing, maybe he’s scared, maybe he’s just not ready. But love that requires endless justification will never feel peaceful. The right man won’t leave you wondering if you’re enough. He’ll make sure you know you are.

When You Stop Waiting

The moment you stop checking your phone, stop justifying his silence, stop rereading old conversations, that’s when you take your power back. You stop romanticizing mixed signals and start honoring your peace. You stop hoping for closure and start realizing that silence is closure. Let the fictional men stay in the books. Let Judah Cross be a beautiful story.

But in your real life, demand presence. Demand communication.

Demand someone who doesn’t just think about you, but actually shows you that they do.

Because you don’t need a love story that lives in pauses, you deserve one that speaks up.

Final Thoughts

So if he hasn’t called, texted, or checked in, maybe that’s okay. Maybe the silence isn’t rejection maybe it’s redirection.

Maybe it’s God’s way of saying,“You’re not meant to chase what was never meant to stay.”

And trust me, sis one day you’ll thank yourself for not waiting on someone who made peace with losing you.

Because while his silence may have broken your heart for a moment, your peace will protect it for a lifetime.