Have i been a bit harsh or is this guy playing me?

I find myself asking for advice on here. Which usually means I know the answer but want it validated and to air things a bit!

So i went on a few dates with this guy before lockdown happened. We continued to communicate at what i felt was a healthy and chilled out level. We’d text a every few days with him initiating. He isn’t into long text convos so usually he would call me a couple of times a week. I was chilled and it felt like no pressure and just seeing where things went – like dating should feel. I have been doing super well on the whole zero f*&ks thing.

Once the lockdown restrictions were relaxed he asked to meet for a socially distant date. We had a picnic and things went well. He asked to see me again three times during the date. He also said that he had not been sure whether to ask me out because he wasn’t sure i was interested as i never initiated texting. He asked me to initiate more. I said i would.

So on Monday i initiated. We had a brief exchange about meeting up this week and he asked to text me back once his daughter was in bed. I said cool. I then didn’t hear a word from him. I left it as I’m not chasing a man and just waited it out. It got to today and i just accepted he was a flake and deleted his number. I was a bit bummed out as it felt like there was potential but i can’t stand rudeness and I’d noticed he was online a couple of times so it was unlikely that there was some big issue where he couldn’t send a text.

I then get a text this evening saying he is sorry for the delay but things had been hectic. I responded a bit later and whilst i was a bit cool in my response i wasn’t rude or naggy. I just said i was surprised to hear from him given the time since Monday and that busy people can shoot off a quick text but its no big deal, no hard feelings and i hope his difficulty/hectic issues were sorted. His response was:

Thats ok if you’d written me off.
I am not sure about what a man would do but as a person when i am dealing with a health problem with my mom i dont even think about anything else.
I would also expect you to text me and say “hey, all good? Whats happening”
Anyway all good, no hard feelings as well. Hope you and the boys are well.
Have a great weekend.

I don’t really know what to think. My initial response is this is some horse cr*p excuse but then i know his mum has had health issues and I’m now second guessing myself that perhaps i was too harsh to write him off after 5 days being left on read. The thing is, I’m really ok with the no f&*ks until he is your bf thing, it has helped me tremendously to keep my feelings in check and not over invest with men, so deleting him wasn’t about being a bit&h, its just i am not going to chase a guy that doesn’t follow through and that’s left me read. I don’t have the head space for drama or getting all distraught that a man has lost interest. This time last year I’d have upset, wondering what I’ve done wrong and chasing him up. But i learnt that that sort of behaviour and investment in a stranger isn’t healthy and I’ve learnt to not get too drawn in with words. This guy is super charming and i was alert to him potentially being a bit of a future faker.

I don’t know if I’ve gone too far the other way now though – with his comments about asking me to initiate and then in his text saying he would have expected me to check in I’m a bit confused about whether I’m being played or whether i was too harsh on him.

As i typed this he has called twice and left messages to say sorry and that he gets that he should have messaged me but he had no head space. He feels I’ve judged him based on other men and how they behave but that if he goes quiet then thats when i should know there’s a problem and check in but he appreciates we are just getting to know each other.

I don’t know what to think. It such early days.

Opinions welcomed :-)