When had things started to change between people at the Encanto? It was hard to tell honestly. It was sort of a slow creeping change.
When things are suddenly just considered normal. People tend to be less on guard.
And well… When you have a cute innocent little five year old looking at you with big innocent eyes. No one would want to be harsh on the kid.
But a gangly awkward teenager with beginning stubbles on his chin. That was kind of a different story.
And the whispers began. Mostly just in the corners. Easily ignored by people.
"Have you ever considered… This only happened after Bruno read your future." A girl commented to her friend. "What if he hadn't done it. Then maybe it wouldn't have happened at all."
Bruno wasn't meant to hear it… He knew. They were at least polite enough to keep it in the corners. But in a small town like this where everyone knew it each other. It was just impossible to deny that Bruno was being treated… slightly different than his sisters.
He started to dread more and more reading people's futures. He would do it… But he wasn't a fan. Because more often than not people wouldn't like what they were being told.
And their eyes would linger on Bruno. Annoyance and disappointment were aimed directly at him. Fake smiles plastered on their faces to appease Alma. But Bruno could feel it and hear the whispers. He could see how people would avoid him on the street... How they would notice him and act differently... He hated it. It made Bruno want to retrieve further into his room.
And as he asked for it it was like casita responded and the three small steps to the seer's room was now a staircase removing the room from his sleeping spot. Making it a little harder for people to reach him. So if they wanted their fortunes read they would have to really mean it.
Still. Bruno would keep his head raised and smile. He was there to help his family and support them whenever they needed it no matter what it was about!
Like this day. As sixteen-year-old Bruno was merely just lounging in the big chair in the living room reading a corny romance novel as suddenly thunder sounded outside and then heavy rain that seemed to appear out of nowhere. At once that made Bruno look up. "Pepa?" he asked.
And in the same moment, the door swung open and there was a Pepa with tears running down her face, smearing her makeup and she cried. "MY LIFE IS OVEEEER!" she cried loudly as she walked to the couch and fell down a rain cloud following her. "I am never going to be happyyyyyy!" and she cried as snot escaped her nose.
Bruno was stunned looking at his sister. And the cloud now drenching the couch and blanket. Then carefully he put down his book and sat up. Then there was silence… He wasn't exactly sure how to handle this and Pepa wailed.
"So… I guess Dario broke up with you then," Bruno said.
And Pepa wailed even harder as the rain intensified and the wind picked up. "You saw that in the future didn't you?" she asked.
Bruno sighed deeply. "No. I didn't. I just made an educated guess." he said. "So what happened?" he asked.
Pepa sniffed. "I just… I was so excited and then I hit my knee! And then I made it rain! And that messed up his shirt! And he told me it wasn't going to work! And then I made it a storm! And his mother got knocked over! And he fell into the mud and became a mess in front of his friends! I made a mess of everything! Like I always do. No one will ever want to be with meeeeee! Wahahaha!" she cried loudly.
Bruno exhaled deeply. This was the third boyfriend Pepa had had. And they had all been very short lived. And with each breakup, Pepa had ended up looking like… This.
Bruno shook his head. "Who cares about Dario anyway?" he asked. "You're too good for him!"
And Pepa just cried. "So what? If I am always going to be alooooone!"
Bruno stood up. "Pepa… Someday you will find someone who won't just walk through storms for you. He will be dancing through those storms." Bruno said and wide-eyed Pepa looked up with those tears falling down her cheeks.
Then Bruno offered her a hand and Pepa carefully took it. Only for Bruno to pull her up on her legs.
"And he will love how unpredictable life is with you! Just like I do!" Bruno laughed as he twirled her around and Pepa couldn't help but smile. Now Bruno was singing a little melody as he guided Pepa around. "He will marvel at your sunshine and adore all your thunder. He will love all your raindrops and then you'll never split asunder!"
Pepa chuckled and then the cloud finally started to disperse letting the sunshine inside.
And then they stopped and the two stood in front of each other just lightly holding hands.
"Just keep being you." Bruno smiled lightly. "Trust me."
And Pepa flung herself at Bruno as she cried hugging him tightly. "Who needs stupid Dario when I got the best brother?" she asked.
Bruno smiled lightly as he padded her on the back. "Glad to help," he said then glanced up to see that all the noise had indeed attracted attention.
Why wouldn't it? Pepa had brought a storm inside. Alma though seemed to be half hiding behind the door and was smiling proudly. Then quietly backed away so Pepa wouldn't notice.
Slowly the siblings let go and Bruno sighed. "Well I guess we'll better clean this up," he commented glancing at the mess next to them.
Pepa blushed deeply. "I am… So sorry."
Bruno shrugged. "Eh. If we work together It'll be fixed in no time. Let's get to it." and Pepa smiled.
That evening Alma was sitting in her favorite chair. A big soft smile on her lips and tears in her eyes.
"Mama." Bruno walked in with a cup of tea she had asked for. "Are you okay?" he asked as he offered her the teacup.
"Yes Brunito," Alma assured as she looked up at him and then smiled again. "I'm sorry I just… I saw how you cheered Pepa up with your dance and I just… You look so much like your father." she whispered as she put a hand on Bruno's cheek.
Bruno's eyes widened in surprise. Then he blushed as he glanced down.
"The way you were there for her. Oh and your smile. It was like seeing him again. In you… My god when did you all get so big?" Alma asked.
Bruno kept averting his eyes but he was smiling as he gently put the teacup down at the table next to the chair. "I don't look that much like him. I'm not nearly as handsome."
"Nonsense!" Alma stated. "You are every last little bit as handsome as he was and then some! And more importantly… You have his soul." she said as she brought his head closer to hers. So finally she could rest her forehead against his. "He cared so much for his family… Even if he only got to do it for such a short time. Oh how I wish he could have seen you." she swallowed.
"Mama." Bruno swallowed as he sat down on his knees and Alma finally let go. "You said it yourself. This house… The entire Encanto. Our magic gifts. It's all from his love for us so… I think there's a good chance he is watching over us. You know?"
Alma smiled lightly. "Si Brunito." she agreed and she leaned back in her chair and glanced around the house. Then her eyes returned to Brunito and she looked.
"Mama." Bruno blushed as he looked away. "You're staring."
"Forgive me por favor." Alma asked. "You just look so much like him."
Bruno smiled as he still shyly glanced away. "He was an amazing man. Wasn't he?" he asked.
"Just as amazing as you Brunito." Alma smiled. "Thank you for the tea Mijo. You don't need to keep sitting like that."
Bruno hesitated. "You know what. I think I could do with a cup of tea myself! I'll be right back!" he stated as he stood up and went to the kitchen to fetch himself some tea and then returned so he could sit down in front of Alma and Alma smiled.
"Did I tell you about the new telenovela I'm watching?" Bruno asked.
"No. But do tell." Alma asked and Bruno beamed as he began to tell about the TV show and all the drama while Alma smiled and for a while. Just enjoyed the moment.
