CP, Part 3: convergence

Crossed paths, part 3: Convergence

Ivie had been so immersed in her own little world, she hadn't thought twice about anyone else in the store and therefore never noticed the figure walk up to her and reach for the same book until his fingers brushed hers. When she felt his hand on her own, she gasped and pulled her hand back in fright.

Mohinder's fingers recoiled as well and he heard Ivie's sharp intake of breath. "Oh!" he said "I'm so sorry!" He turned to face the young woman whom he had disturbed and blinked...for a split second it looked as though no one had been standing there at all...but, "It had to be a trick of the light" Mohinder thought as he blinked again and the girl was standing in front of him.

"Did he notice?" Ivie worried. She had vanished...true for only a few moments but still, was it obvious? It was strange, something that had happened to her since she was a child and it was always when she was frightened or scared. She had tried to control it but didn't know how, she had been hoping that maybe the book would do her some good in that category.

"I'm sorry" Mohinder said again "I didn't realize you were reaching for the same book." "No, it's fine" Ivie replied, smiling as she got a better look at this man who had approached her. She couldn't help but notice the deep, chocolate brown eyes and his perfect crown of curls "I was spacing out and wasn't paying attention, my fault." There was a pause, then Mohinder told her "You can take the book if you like, I'm sure you need it more than I do." "Oh, thanks" Ivie responded and stretched on her toes to reach the text on the shelf.

Mohinder watched the young woman as she reached, her body stretched to it's full potential. Her light brown hair cascaded like a waterfall over her face and she shook it off onto her shoulders in a child-like manner as her scarf swung back and forth like some light, fluttery pendulum before it settled back onto her chest when she returned to the balls of her feet. "You're sure you don't need it?" she asked and stretched out the arm holding the book out to him. "I'm really not that into science,it just...looked interesting."

"Well, it is quite interesting, I'll tell you that." Mohinder told her "The author has some very controversial ideas about human growth and change." "Really?" Ivie wondered, and raised her eyebrows as she flipped the book over to read the author's profile on the back cover. "Chandra Suresh" she read aloud, then did a double take at the name. "Wait? Suresh?" she thought for a moment, then her eyes widened at a sudden realization. She hurriedly checked her watch. "I'm late!" she exclaimed and looked back up at Mohinder. "Look, it was really nice talking to you, but I'm actually supposed to meet with a Doctor Suresh Right now, so I really have to be going." and she turned to leave.

Mohinder watched her retreating figure as he thought and all the ideas eventually connected in his mind. He called out to her "Ivie Gesenetti?" She spun around, surprised. "How did you-" He smiled back at her and stuck out his hand "I'm not sure I introduced myself. I'm Dr. Mohinder Suresh."