Chapter 2: New bonds in the time pf Lockdown

When Jwell and Robert moved into the house next to Rosa and Noel's, it felt like a sudden shift in the quiet rhythm of their lives. They were no longer just family visiting; they were neighbors, living under the same roof, navigating the strange, uncertain waters of a world plunged into the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jwell settled into Samuel's house with her husband and baby, Arnold, and the family dynamic quickly changed. Rosa and Jwell found themselves spending more time together again, like the old days when they were younger, and their bond began to rekindle. But as Rosa and Jwell reconnected, it was Noel who found herself growing closer to someone else: Robert, Jwell's husband.

Robert was a soft-spoken, gentle man in his mid-thirties, tall and handsome with a quiet strength that emanated from him. He was the kind of person who didn’t need to speak much to make an impact. His calm demeanor balanced Jwell’s more vibrant, often intense energy. He was a man who had learned early on the importance of patience and responsibility—especially since becoming a father to little Arnold.

During the lockdown, Robert worked from home. His civil engineering job, which typically required him to visit construction sites and oversee projects in person, had been forced to adapt to the new world. Now, he spent most of his time at a desk in the corner of the living room, juggling conference calls and project plans. It was a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of his usual work life.

Noel, still adjusting to the isolation, found solace in spending time with her baby nephew, Arnold. Her days had taken on a new rhythm. Mornings were spent with her mother and aunt, baking pancakes or helping around the house. The afternoons, though, were mostly dedicated to her baby cousin, playing with him, feeding him, and taking care of him in the way that only a sister—or perhaps a second mother—could.

It was during these afternoons, as she took care of Arnold and spent time with Robert, that a quiet bond began to form between Noel and him. Their relationship had started simply enough—Noel often assisted Robert with the baby while Jwell took a break, and soon enough, Robert had grown accustomed to her company. He had always seen Noel as the niece he didn’t get to spend much time with, a little girl full of potential but still lost in the haze of teenage confusion. But as the weeks passed, he began to notice something new in her—an earnestness, a quiet wisdom beneath the surface, a depth he hadn’t realized before.

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One afternoon, as Robert sat in his chair working on his laptop, Noel sat nearby, her legs stretched out on the couch, watching Arnold play with his toy blocks. The baby had grown more active, crawling and babbling excitedly. Every now and then, Noel would glance over at Robert, who was immersed in his work.

“You know, Robert,” she said casually, breaking the silence. “I’ve been thinking a lot lately.”

Robert looked up, his eyes soft and attentive. “What about?”

“Everything. Life, you know? What comes next. It feels like time is standing still right now, but it also feels like… like it's slipping away faster than I can understand.”

Robert chuckled lightly, a sound full of warmth. “I know what you mean. It’s strange, isn’t it? It feels like the whole world has just paused, and everyone is just… waiting. But even in waiting, you learn a lot about what you really want.”

Noel tilted her head, her gaze now fixed on him. “What do you want, Robert? When all this is over, what’s your big dream?”

He leaned back in his chair, the words coming to him easily, as if he’d been thinking about them for a long time but never had the time to speak them out loud. “I’ve always wanted to own my own business. You know, construction’s been great, but it’s always the same—dealing with the same people, the same routine, the same limitations. I’ve been thinking for a while that I don’t want to be tied down to a desk forever. I want to take what I’ve learned and use it to create something bigger—something of my own. Something where I’m in charge, and I can set my own rules.”

Noel raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What kind of business?”

Robert smiled, his eyes thoughtful. “Something in real estate, I think. Maybe build houses, or even start a property management company. I’ve got a lot of ideas, but it’s hard when you’re stuck in a 9 to 5 job. It feels like I’m always running in circles, just trying to pay bills.”

Noel nodded, understanding more than he realized. “So, you’re saying you’re stuck?”

“Yeah. Stuck in a good way, though,” he replied, chuckling softly. “It pays the bills, but it’s not my dream. But one day… one day, I’ll make it happen. I just need the right push.”

Noel smiled, leaning back into the cushions, the weight of his words settling over her. “You’ll get there, Robert. I know you will.”

“I hope so,” Robert said, looking at her with a quiet gratitude. “It’s funny, though. I’ve spent all this time thinking about what I want, and now that I’m home more with Jwell and Arnold… I realize I don’t want to miss these moments. I want to be there for my family.”

Noel nodded again, her heart swelling with a mixture of admiration and understanding. She could see the depth in Robert’s eyes now, the complexity of his life, his ambitions, and his love for his family. It was a side of him she hadn’t known before, but it made sense to her now. She was beginning to see him not just as her aunt’s husband but as a man who was working to balance his dreams with his responsibilities.

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Over the next few weeks, the conversations between Noel and Robert became a constant. It wasn’t just about work or dreams anymore; it was about life, relationships, and the lessons they had learned over the years.

“Do you ever regret things?” Noel asked one evening as they were sitting outside on the porch, watching Arnold play with a small ball.

Robert seemed to think about it for a moment before answering. “Sometimes, yeah. I think everyone does. There are moments in life when you wish you’d made different choices, maybe taken a different path. But the important thing is to learn from those regrets. Don’t dwell on them.”

Noel looked at him curiously. “What would you have done differently?”

Robert smiled, a little wistfully. “Maybe I would’ve taken more risks when I was younger. I spent a lot of time playing it safe. I didn’t go after things I really wanted. Like starting my own business sooner. But you know what? I think I’ve got time. And I’ve got the right people around me now, which is the most important thing.”

Noel looked up at him, seeing not just the man in front of her, but the story he carried with him. The quiet strength. The regret. The ambition.

“Do you have advice for someone my age?” Noel asked, suddenly feeling the weight of his wisdom. “I mean, I’m still trying to figure out what I want. But it’s hard to know what’s right.”

Robert laughed softly, shaking his head. “You’ll figure it out. You’ve got time. But I’ll tell you this: Take your studies seriously. Don’t waste time. I know it feels like you’ve got all the time in the world, but trust me, it goes by faster than you think.”

He paused for a moment before continuing. “And when it comes to love, don’t settle. You deserve someone who will respect you, care for you, and make you feel like the most important person in the world. Don’t fall for someone who treats you less than that.”

Noel felt a warmth spread through her chest at his words. “I’ll remember that. Thanks, Robert. You know, you’re a lot like a big brother to me. I never really realized it until now.”

Robert smiled, his gaze softening. “You’re like a little sister to me, Noel. And I’m glad you feel that way. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders. Just keep doing what you’re doing.”

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Over time, Noel’s bond with Robert deepened. They spent more time together, talking about their dreams, their hopes, their regrets. Robert had become not just an uncle figure, but a mentor, a guide, and a friend. Their connection—unspoken yet profound—grew even more important as the pandemic continued, a small anchor in the storm.

And in this quiet, unexpected relationship, Noel found a new sense of direction.

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