“So, who do you think the preacher is gonna prophecy over today?” Themba asked his co-worker Emmanuel, as he was buffing out the final remnants of soap and water off the preacher’s car.

The famous preacher visited the car wash every Thursday afternoon. Every time he would visit, he would greet everyone working outside, before going to grab a snack at the convenient store. Sometimes, something supernatural would take place. It would seem that he was guided by an unseen force, leading him to a person that he would prophecy over. The workers would marvel at how accurate his prophecies were.

The workers themselves had never approached the preacher for a prophecy. They never had the nerve to. Perhaps out of fear of the supernatural.

Emmanuel pretended to think for a moment before jokingly saying,”Our boss? Maybe he could tell him that if he doesn’t give us raises, then he’ll face the full wrath of the heavens”.

Both of them chuckled. Such a thing could never happen, especially with a boss who would excessively cut costs on everything.

Emmanuel himself had only seen the preacher a few times in action, never up close. He was always preoccupied with his work. For him, as long as he got his pay every week, he was satisfied. 

“Finally! I’m starving!”, Themba cried out loud. He tossed his dirty rag and rubbed his hands together. “I’m craving slap chips from the convenience store. Are you coming?”

“I’m almost done,” Emmanuel replies. He was wrestling with a stubborn stain that just wouldn’t move. He tried spaying some Windex cleaner again to try and buff it out,until finally the stain was gone. Emmanuel was drenched in sweat and water. “Damn, this heatwave is relentless! I don’t think I can handle it anymore. I’d kill for a can of Coke right now”.

“Bruh!,” Themba bellowed, “You’ve read my mind! I can already feel its thirst-quenching coolness right now”.

Just as they entered the store, the preacher emerged, with a plastic in hand. “Ah, getting a little snack after a hard day’s work, gentlemen? Great minds think alike”.

Both of them nodded. “Indeed they do sir,” Themba replied, a warm smile on his face.

“Keep on working hard, and may the Lord be with you, young men” he said, as he held out his hand

“Thank you, sir,” Emmanuel and Themba said in sync. Themba shook the pastor’s hand first, before entering the convenient store. When Emmanuel touched the preacher’s hand, there was a sudden change in atmosphere. Something that the preacher picked up on.

Emmanuel stared at the preacher’s hazel eyes. It was as if he could see pity, some sort of compassionate feeling that had moved the preacher to tears.

“Oh, Emmanuel,” the preacher said, his voice at the verge of breaking. He suddenly gave him a hug, “you have been through so much pain”

Emmanuel’s eyes widened. He stood there, motionless, not knowing what he should do.

The other workers, upon seeing this, stopped to watch, their eyes glued to what was happening. They’d never seen the preacher approach any of the workers in this manner.

The preacher placed a comforting hand on Emmanuel’s shoulder and began to prophesy. “I see you, burdened by the cares of life. You, Emmanuel, are like a promising tree that has been stifled, its branches bent under the weight of sorrow and hardship.”

“W-what do you mean, s-sir?”, Emanuel stuttered. What could he be talking about, he wondered.

The preacher continued. “You were supposed to be in college with your peers…but death came like a thief in the night, and it robbed you of your parents. I see two people you have deep love for and are desperately trying to support. Siblings. You are worried about their tomorrow. You are worried that their journey will one day mirror that of your own”.

Tears welled in Emmanuel’s eyes. The preacher’s words cut deep, right to the hidden pain in his heart. 

The others exchanged glances of disbelief. How could it be, that their seemingly carefree coworker, the one person who smiled everyday, boosting the morale in their place of work and yet still go through such pain?

The preacher continued, “I want you to know, that He hasn’t forsaken you, Emmanuel. He’s always with you.” With a solemn air, he laid his hands on Emmanuel’s trembling shoulders. “I command the spirit of stagnation to leave you, Emmanuel.”

Suddenly, Emmanuel’s body convulsed uncontrollably, and he fell backwards.

Themba rushed to catch him quicky before his head could hit the concrete ground. Foam formed at the corners of his mouth.

The preacher remained unflinching. He knelt beside the Emmanuel, who was screaming and thrashing about. The preacher touched his forehead again, his voice a soothing balm as he continued to pray. His prayer seemed to soothe the raging storm within him, and he began to be still. Emmanuel lay there, motionless, silent.

His co-workers stared in disbelief at what they had witnessed. Deafening silence took place in the car wash. What had they just witnessed? 

Emmanuel’s eyes flickered open. His breathing steadied, and he slowly rose to his feet.

How do you feel? Themba asked. He was trembling, sweating. He was worried about his friend. 

Emmanuel felt disoriented. What the hell just happened, he thought to himself. Something beyond his understanding just happened to him, but he just couldn’t explain it.

The preacher stood beside them, his gaze gentle yet intense. “He’s always with you. He’ll show his presence, you’ll see.”

With that, the preacher stood up and left, leaving everyone shocked and speechless.