Oh god yes, there is a huge chance your continued silence after chasing him at the end bothers him. If his ego is so massive that he thinks it’s ok and normal to ghost someone you’re supposed to be in an adult relationship with (regardless of an argument - an argument doesn’t equal ‘its over and no contact’ without saying so and with no discussion about it) then his ego will be battered by your (fantastic) silence.
He must be passing on this message to your friend to pass on to you, that he plans to text - but he hasn’t and may never actually do it. Unless he’s really dim, he’s aware that sending this ‘threat’ or empty promise will whip you up into a frenzy and potentially hopes you break and make contact first or is just enjoying having you on tenterhooks waiting for his words. It’s really not someone genuine or kind, is it - If you cared, truly cared and had hurt someone by ignoring them, would you then say you would contact, vaguely, multiple times then not actually do it? You wouldn’t do that to them AGAIN. Only if you’re playing games.
The only other thing I can think of is if his friend is doing all this and kind of enjoying being the middle man/ person. Passing on info your ex doesn’t realise they are sharing with you. But it sounds like your ex is specifically asking to pass on these messages. However, the friend Showing you videos with him in is really strange. Why would they think you want to see that?
I do understand your pain, thinking someone is your best match - I don’t doubt your connection, but if they can’t communicate, and treat you with zero respect in any aspect at all then it’s not your ‘person.’ relationships with people like this are effectively like dating a teenage boy, even though they may be older than you! It always ends badly. You have to think of your lucky escape. Someone who cannot communicate is a nightmare.
It sounds crazy but it is one of the things I am most proud of, closing off all contact for many, many years now. For waking up and taking back control. As soon as I shut up, he couldn’t stop making contact. And when I got sent his excuses, it made me more angry - it’s never anything you want to hear or that helps, it is only their bullshit ego talking.
As time passes and your sense of self evolves if he is anything like my ex, you will likely think of more and more things about him that you realise were stubborn, childish and just all wrong.
You CAN do this, block, remove yourself from it, take control, move on and don’t romanticise a bad relationship or someone that treated you badly, whether it was once, several or many times. You can find yourself again and you can also find someone good, who would never want to hurt you, or leave you in limbo. x