The first one means that it has been a short time since you last spoke Th second one means that it has been a period of time since you last spoke

. This is what a book written by Mary Embree says in her 2013 book ABUSED, CONFUSED, AND MISUSED WORDS. I was able to read it at Google "Books." A While (two words) = a period of time. So we should write "He had to wait a while for the bus" and "It has been a while since they've seen each other." Awhile (one word) = for a short time. So we should say "Please stay awhile." P.S. Many native writers do NOT agree on the use of those words.

Thanks Dorothy, I did understand it.

Sorry, Dorothy. I still don’t get the difference 😅 but thanks for trying to help!