**At Popeyes, I Met an Angel. What He Spoke Astonished Me!**

It was a Tuesday afternoon, one of those days when the beginning of the week and the calm expectation of the weekend kind of blended together. I was surprised by how hungry I felt after finishing my errands. Enticed by the promise of crispy chicken and those irresistibly buttery biscuits, I turned into a nearby Popeyes parking lot.

The eatery was quiet inside. There were just a few patrons dispersed throughout the eating area as the midday rush had passed. I sat down by the window and ordered my regular, which was two pieces of spicy chicken, mashed potatoes, and a biscuit. A man entered as I was about to start eating after I had unwrapped my dinner.

I hesitated for a while since there was something about him that seemed instantly different. At first glance, he appeared to be just another person dressed normally. However, there was something about him that no one else seemed to notice; it was as though there was a luminosity to the air surrounding him. His eyes were too deep for this world, his hair sparkled like sunlight, and his complexion was golden-brown. He spoke something to the cashier as he walked up to the counter, but even from where I was sitting, I could tell there was a soothing warmth in his voice.

To my amazement, after receiving his order, he came straight to my table. He asked, "Mind if I sit here?"

"I answered, rather perplexed, "Uh, no, sure, go ahead." Why was mine the only unoccupied table in the room? I couldn't get rid of the strange feeling that he had a purpose in selecting it.

We both ate our meals while sitting in silence for a short while. I felt compelled to ask or say something, but I couldn't stop stealing glances at him. Something significant seemed to be charged into the air surrounding us, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

His abrupt comment, "You seem curious," sliced through my thoughts.

"I apologize; I didn't intend to look." To put it simply, I was sleeping and I had no idea how to communicate without coming across as weird.. Telling someone they seem... gorgeous is not an easy task.

When he grinned, I detected a subtle shine in his eyes. "Never fear. People don't always see it right away.

"Identify what?" I asked, slanting just a little to pique my interest.

"The light," he murmured, making a seemingly nonchalant yet significant gesture toward himself. "Even though I'm not from here specifically, you sensed that already, didn't you?"

I blinked in an attempt to understand his words. "Wait, are you saying that you're—" I was at a loss on how to answer the question. Though it felt absurd, the word "angel" was on the tip of my mouth.

He gave a very little laugh. "That's one word for it, I guess."

A beat skipped in my heart. Was I truly conversing with an angel while seated in Popeyes? There was not a chance. However, as I met his eyes, I was forced to acknowledge it. He had an otherworldly quality to him.

"Why are you in this place?" My question was hardly audible above a whisper.

He said, winking, "Same thing as you—grabbing a bite to eat." "But above all, I'm here to speak with you."

"To myself?" With a rushing mind, I said. "Why me? I'm just an everyday individual. Nothing unique about me exists.

He put down his fork and softened his stare. Here's where you're mistaken. Everyone is unique, even if they are unaware of it. I take it that you have been looking for something? Perhaps a sign. A little clarification

A shiver went down my spine. How was he aware? I had been feeling directionless and lost for months. I had been searching for guidance, for direction, but I never thought it would come in this form.

"I suppose I have," I said. However, how did you manage to—

"Are you aware?" He completed the task for me. "I have a duty to be aware." You've been burdened with anxieties and questions regarding your goals and future. Have you felt isolated in it at all?

Barely able to talk, I nodded. He was accurate. I felt as though I was lost in the world and unsure of my future, and I had been bearing a silent weight for a while.

Gently leaning forward, he spoke in a forceful yet gentle tone. "You're not by yourself. Not one of you is. In a world full of chaos, it's easy to feel lost, but you have a purpose and a route waiting for you. Even when you can't see it happening, you just have to have faith that it is.”

My eyes filled with tears. But how can I locate it? How am I meant to know what's appropriate?

Once more, he flashed that smile that made the clouds part and let the sun shine through. The point is, sometimes 'finding' it isn't the goal. There are moments when it's best to just let things happen. Have patience. Continue doing what your gut tells you to do. Even though it seems buried, you're already on the right track.

I sat there in disbelief. His statements struck such a deep chord with me that I felt as though he had peeled back layers of worry and uncertainty that I wasn't even aware I was holding onto.

I muttered, "Thank you," running out of things to say.

He took one last piece of his chicken and nodded. "Thank you so much. But keep in mind that you already have the answers you seek.All you need to do is pay attention.

After that, he got up and picked up his tray. "I will be present," he grinned. You are aware that angels don't always have wings to fly."

I chuckled lightly, still stunned by what had just transpired. "I suppose not."

I watched him depart, wondering whether I would ever see him again as he turned to go. However, as he was about to open the door, he turned to face me, his eyes dimly gleaming. "One final thing," he murmured. "You never truly are lost as you believe."

And with that, he disappeared into the world, walking out into the sunlight as though he had never been there at all.

I sat silently for a while, his words ringing in my head. I experienced a peculiar sensation of tranquility for the first time in months. It's possible that I was missing some answers, but I sensed that I didn't have to know.

When I was done eating, I couldn't help but smile. After all, you didn't exactly meet an angel at Popeyes every day.