Bruce POV
The scent of hand sanitizer lingered in the hospital room, mingling with the subtle smell of overcooked rice from the food tray no one had touched. Outside, the city was dark.
I, in truth sat upright on the bed, feeling oddly stable despite the events swirling around me.
My body is strong and my senses are also sharp, but my mind was a foggy battleground.
'They said I'm Bruce Chan. That I survived a plane crash. That my parents…'
'I didn't have any memories of them except their faces. Not a single one apart from how they look. No warmth of voices, not even a sensation of grief. Just… blank space.'
'I wasn't even sure what scared me more: the fact that they are gone, or the fact that my heart didn't ache at all.'
The door creaked open. A tall man in a white coat stepped inside, holding a clipboard and wearing an easy smile.
"Ah, Mr. Chan," the doctor greeted, stepping toward the bed. "You're awake and alert. That's very good news."
Jackie and Uncle, seated on either side of the room, stood up immediately. Uncle's eyes narrowed behind his glasses.
"Aiyah!, Of course he's alert! He is Chan blood! Very stubborn! Very loud! Also Very Powerful." Uncle said with pride. The doctor chuckled politely, but I stayed quiet, watching him intently.
"Bruce," the doctor continued, turning to him, "I'm Dr. Wickers. How are you feeling? Any dizziness, nausea, blurred vision?"
I tilted my head. "Uh… no. Just a little… light. Like I haven't moved in weeks."
"That's because you haven't," Dr. Wickers replied gently. "You were in a coma for nearly two weeks after the crash. Head trauma, hairline fracture on your ribs, but you've recovered faster than anyone expected." He leaned forward slightly.
"Your memory might still be fuzzy. That's normal after this kind of injury. We're keeping you for the next forty-eight hours under observation. If there's no neurological degradation, you'll be cleared for discharge."
Jackie stepped in. "We're planning to take him back to China. Would that be okay?" Dr. Wickers hesitated, flipping a few pages on his chart.
"Well… assuming no setbacks in the next two days, and he follows the prescribed medications and avoids strenuous activity—yes. Travel should be safe. Just monitor him closely."
Uncle gave a sharp nod. "Good. Uncle will brew special herbal tea for brain fog. Clears memory and possibly sinuses." I bit his cheek to avoid smiling. 'Even in a world of chaos, Uncle was still Uncle.'
The doctor handed Jackie a small folder of prescriptions and gently patted my shoulder before leaving.
The room quieted again. Jackie walked to my side and asked "Bruce, do you remember anything about the crash?" he asked gently.
I lowered my eyes. I could tell the question was a dagger to both of them and confirmation or denial wouldn't take the pain away.
"…No," I said truthfully. "It's all blank. I don't remember the plane. Or… what happened before or after."
Uncle made a soft, almost imperceptible sound, pain masked by pride. "It is okay," Jackie said, clearing his throat.
"Memory returns in its own time. No rush." I looked between the two of them.
'I expected them to be larger-than-life. Fictional. But here they were—real, human, hurting with deep emotions. They lost someone too. It wasn't just me. My father was Uncle's little brother… and Jackie's uncle. Looks like my mother was also deeply cared by them. Even if I don't remember them… Uncle and Jackie do.'
"Thank you for coming," I said quietly.
Uncle huffed. "Of course we come! Aiyah! What kind of family do you think we are?" and Jackie smiled. "You don't have to say thank you, Bruce. We're here for you. That's what family does, we care for each other"
I looked down at the bedsheets, then back at Jackie. 'Family. Is this really mine now?'
Later
Takin a deep breath and tried not to sound too excited. "You don't have to stay overnight, Jackie. I'm fine. You should get some rest." But Uncle immediately interjected, pointing a finger. "Nonsense! You could fall! Hit head again! See ghosts!"
Blinking I asked Jackie "Ghosts?" but Uncle nodded solemnly and replied "Hospital is very haunted. Ancient American chi. Very unnatural." But Jackie rolled his eyes.
"He's staying overnight" Uncle firmly said.
"I'll take the couch." Jackie added
I tried again. "Really, I don't want to trouble—" Jackie leaned in with a grin. "You're not troubling me. Plus, I've been told I snore softly and dream about kung fu." I laugh a little. Not fake, the real kind.
'This is Jackie Chan. In the flesh. And he was going to sleep in the same room as me. If twelve-year-old me knew this, he'd die from excitement. Wait… technically, he did.'
Nodded. "Alright… You can stay." I said and Jackie smiled. "Cool. I brought snacks." But Uncle eyed him. "No spicy chips! And no soda after 8pm!" to which Jackie but he whispered to me, "We'll eat them after he leaves."
Later that evening, the hospital brought in three boxed dinners. Rice with tofu, steamed vegetables, and grilled chicken. Bland, but warm. Familiar. Comforting.
We ate in a quiet triangle—Uncle seated properly in a chair, Jackie cross-legged on the couch, and Me, on the bed. It was strange yet Peaceful like a family dinner that had somehow survived a storm.
Uncle checked his watch and stood up. "Aiyah!!! Too late, I go now. Hotel is close. You two behave."
"Don't worry," Jackie said. "I'll keep him safe."
Uncle looked down at me one last time, hand resting on my shoulder. Not gently—firmly, like he was anchoring me to this world.
"Sleep well, Bruce," he said. "We are here for you." And left, the door shut behind him with a click.
I turned to Jackie, who was already stretching out on the tiny couch with a pillow he had somehow sneaked from a nurse.
"…Hey, Jackie?" I called
"Hmm?"
"…What was my dad like?"
Jackie looked at the ceiling. Then smiled softly.
"He looked a little like you. But your smile? That's all your mom."
I nodded slowly, curling under the blanket 'I was just curious but my mind is spinning with more questions but I came to the one conclusion'
'I wasn't just Bruce anymore. I am Bruce Chan and I need answers. I've got 48 hours to figure out more'
-----END-----
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