I think it was a dream. I hope he survived but I think it was all just Alfred daydreaming. Selina was probably the only woman that Batman had seen in 8 years and Alfred knew that Batman was kinda interested in her. He imagined him with her and happy. Did Alfred even tell him which cafe he went to when Bruce was away in training.
No way he could escape that blast. He was shown in The Bat with five seconds left until explosion. He was just a man but a man could be killed. He had to become a symbol and he did. And he died. He wanted to die because he had no other reason to live. His family was dead. His best friend and protector, Alfred had left. His money was gone. His body was damaged. He'd just been stabbed by Talia Al Ghul.
Bruce Wayne is dead. Long live Batman.
