He told me that the man of my dreams
Would be just out of reach
Betrothed to another
*

Bruno was sitting in the kitchen, picking at a Cocada while he watched his sister Pepa and her husband Felix dance around to upbeat music. The two of them were so in love that one couldn't help but to feel hopeful while watching them together. Even after all these years they were still so affectionate with one another and had so much passion... Bruno couldn't help the soft smile that slightly parted his lips.
Pepa really deserved someone like Felix. She'd always tried so hard to keep everything in check; always had to watch her clouds. Bruno knew it couldn't have been easy for her and watching it growing up had made him feel kind of sad for her, but seeing her with Felix almost made it all worth it. Felix really had been so supportive of her and so attentive...
"Tío?"
"Mh?" Bruno looked to his side and met the doe-like eyes of his niece, Dolores. He had almost forgotten she was there too. He'd been so emerged in Pepa and Felix's dance.
"Do you think I'll have something like that one day?" She asked in that innocent way only a child could. Bruno couldn't help but to smile at her.
"Of course, Mija." He said. It was just something you had to say when a child asked you something like that, but he truly did believe it. Dolores was such a sweet girl and he had no doubts she'd grow into fantastic woman who couldn't help but to make people fall in love with her golden heart.
"Can you see it?"
"Oh, sure."
"Really?!"
Bruno blinked, looking into her bright excited face. Oh, no... he hadn't thought about what he'd said.
He swallowed. He didn't want to let her down. He never wanted to let any of them down.
"S-sure.." he said and immediately felt her small arms around his torso. Even as he hugged her back he could feel the knot in his stomach tighten and grow.
He gave the dancing couple a nervous glance and patted Dolores' back.
"Let's go!"
"Wh-what? Now?" He questioned, feeling her gentle tug on his poncho.
"Mh-hm!" She encouraged eagerly and he held back a wince. It wasn't that he doubted that she'd end up happy, but his visions tended to- well, they weren't always what people wanted to see. But how could he say no to that adorable eager face?
He cleared his throat and got up.
"Okay.." He murmured and stuffed the rest of his cookie into his mouth.
Dolores tugged him along in front of her all the way to his glowing door and past the veil of sand which opened up like a curtain to him, but not fast enough to save Dolores from getting little grains stuck all over her hair.
"Ay, Mija, slow down..!" Bruno objected, but to no avail. Not even the steep stairs could slow down the little girl, who admittedly, was panting by the time they reached his vision-cave.
Bruno's heart was pounding, but the stairs had nothing to do with it. He didn't want Dolores to look at him like they looked at him. This had to be a good vision. It just had to be.
Together he and Dolores walked into the big open space and sat down looking at each other. Bruno was nervous, like he always was, but looking into that bright hopeful face helped him feel a little calmer.
He took a deep breath. Okay. He could do this.
Reaching in under his poncho he withdrew a handful of salt and threw it over his shoulder for good measure. It probably didn't do much, but it couldn't hurt, right? Then, slowly, he lit the dried leaves that were already neatly arranged for him.
The sand around them started to pick up, whirl and swirl, until they were enclosed in a big dome.
Dolores took his hand and they both stood as he concentrated hard on the little girl's future.
"I-I see you.." He murmured as images of a grown up Dolores flashed before his eyes. "Y-you're in love..."
She felt her squeeze his hand excitedly.
He swallowed. He saw the man of her dreams. "I-I see him proposing..." but not to Dolores. He saw Isabella. And by the gasp at his side he knew Dolores had seen it too. No, no, no, no...! The sand crashed around them. Bruno barely noticed the green plaque that manifested in his hand. All he could do was look into Dolores' big disappointed eyes. He could feel his chest tighten terribly, he could feel his heart hammer, his throat felt like it was contracting.
".. Mija.." He said with some difficulty.
Tears were swimming in her eyes. He could see her face crumble. He tried to reach out towards her but she ran and he ran after.
"I'll n-never find love!" She wailed as she ran out onto the stairs.
"N-no, Mija, that's not-! You could still-!" He tried desperately, but he couldn't quite find the words. He was panicking. What had he done?!
"I'm going to die alone! Mamaaa!"
"No! D-Dolores!" She was halfway down the stairs. He was at her heels, stumbling over his own feet in his hurry to come to her aid. He wanted to comfort her. He wanted to make it all right! He could fix this...!
"I hate you, tío!" She cried and that caused him to halt. He skitted on the stairs and fell down onto his butt, feeling a sharp pain shoot up through his back. It didn't hurt nearly as much as his heart did, though. He swallowed. He wanted to cry himself, but pushed it back and forced himself to get up again.
She didn't mean that. She was just hurt. She needed him...!
So, he got up and rushed after her again, but his delay meant she reached the door long before him. He was panting hard and he was having a painful stitch in his side when he reached the door himself.
"Doh-Dolores..!" He wheezed, but was met with a thundering sky as soon as he opened his door. He could hear distant crying. He wanted to follow, but Pepa stood in his way, glaring down at him.
"What did you do?!"
"I-"
"Ah-ah!" her slender finger pressed against his lips and he gulp.
"You know what? Clearly you've already said enough!"
"But-"
"No, Bruno. I don't want to hear another word out of you! I've got to go comfort my daughter and you! You stay in there!" With that she slammed his door in his face, leaving Bruno in the heavy silence of his room.