Page 21 of Blake University HBCU Chronicles: Nuri & Silas

Nuri laughed, then there was a pause—one that wasn’t awkward but intentional. Silas was calculating, not in a manipulative way, but in the way that men who led with love and purpose always were. When he asked his next question, it came wrapped in sincerity.

“What you plan on doing after graduation?”

Nuri let the question settle in her spirit before answering. “Hopefully, I can start working in my field right away. I want to get experience under my belt, and build a reputation. Eventually, I want to open my own firm, but I’m not rushing. I’ll take all the mentorship and guidance I can get.”

Silas nodded, impressed but not surprised. He knew the woman standing in front of him was built different.

“You plan on staying in Atlanta?”

“That’s the plan,” she said, her voice steady. “I didn’t look into going anywhere else.” She shrugged.

“What if I told you I had a dope-ass connection in Chicago... and all I need is your approval to make it official?” Silas pulled her in closer, his lips grazing the shell of her ear.

"I know this shit may seem sudden. Everything between us, and in your life been comin' fast as hell.

But, where I'm from coincidences don't just happen.

I'm not confused about what or who I want, baby. It's gon' always and forever be you."

"What about your house, and-"

"Fuck this house. If there’s one thing I ain’t ever been confused about.

.. it’s you. I want you. I’m ready to build something real—like some forever-type shit,” he confessed.

“Material shit will come and go, but a woman like you only come once in a lifetime. I gotta have you. Plus, I got a faculty offer at one of the best universities there. I wouldn’t be asking you this if I wasn’t serious.

This ain’t just a dream. This is real. If you agree, life 'bout to be sweet as fuck. Just say yes."

"Yes."

Tears brimmed at the edge of her lashes, but not the broken kind. These were the overflow of abundance. Of finally being seen. Of knowing that everything she endured led to this moment.

“Yes,” she said, with every inch of her soul behind it.

Silas didn’t respond with words. Instead, he kissed her—soft and slow—like he had all the time in the world to show her what her yes meant to him. At that moment, Nuri knew... this was her fresh start. She had survived the storm, and now, she was standing in the sunlight.

Graduation Day…

Nuri had been waiting for this day since the moment she stepped onto Blake University's campus as a wide-eyed freshman. Graduation. The moment that once felt like a distant dream was now a few hours away. Her mother’s voice echoed in her mind— “Hard work pays off, baby.” She was right.

Fresh out the tub, Nuri moved with grace and intention.

The warm water of her Jacuzzi had washed away the last four years of stress, but her glow…

That glow came from within. Silas had left a few hours earlier to get dressed so he could be there front and center to celebrate her crossing the stage with honors.

A Bachelor's degree in Psychology wasn’t just a win.

It was proof that she was a warrior and not a statistic.

She also had planned to continue school in Chicago so she could obtain her Master's degree and work at the same time.

Nuri reached forward and pulled the chrome stopper, watching the water swirl away.

Wrapping herself in her plush white towel, she stepped out and tightened her silk scarf.

With her reflection staring back at her in the vanity mirror, she brushed her teeth and washed her face, the routine calming her nerves.

Ten minutes later, she'd walked out of her ensuite, and sat down on the bench located at the foot of her bed.

Reaching for her Coconut Waters EOS lotion, she thoroughly moisturized her skin, rubbing Coconut Waters EOS lotion into her flawless brown skin.

She spayed herself down with the subtle scent of Yara in the light pink bottle , it filled the room as she misted herself.

She moved with purpose, while that settled into her skin.

She slid into her white undergarments, then followed up with applying DKNY's Cashmere Mist deodorant.

Clean & Powdery.

Feminine & Grown.

Nuri was a natural beauty, so when it came to make-up she never had to do too much, but when she wore it she always was sure to do it right.

She gave her face a soft glam—natural glow, subtle highlight, lips glossed to perfection.

She grabbed her white designer, silk wrap dress that hugged every curve like it had been made just for her, and when she slid into her white Gucci stilettos, the vision was complete.

She stood in front of her long mirror, manicured hands smoothing down the fabric appreciating how it hugged her perfectly sculpted frame.

She looked like success.

Like peace.

Like the woman she had always prayed to become.

She then removed her silk scarf, and walked back into her ensuite to hook up her flat irons. The second she turned them on, her phone chimed with a group text from her soror sisters.

Veta’s Group Text:Congratulations to all who will graduate today. We love you and can’t wait to support you in the next chapter of your life. Always remember—you can count on your sister circle no matter where life takes you.

Before she could type a reply, Bre’s smiling face popped up on her screen. Nuri answered instantly.

“Wassup, sis!” she grinned, Nuri energetically answered, the smile on her face evident on her face.

“Hey, my baby! How you feelin’? Today is our big day! You ready?!” Bre replied, matching her excitement.

Nuri laughed, full and free. “Babyyy, I cannot wait! You heard me? Once I finish my hair, I’ma be ready to shut some shit down!”

“I’m almost done too, sis,” Bre said. “I was calling to get your opinion real quick. I’m stuck between this black pants and blouse set, or that satin red dress I been dying to wear.”

“I got’cha. FaceTime me real quick so I can see.”

"Okay, give me just a second," Bre said, quickly slipping on her robe, then tapping on the button to connect with Nuri on FaceTime.

“Ooh, Sis! You look so pretty! And you’re glistening!” Nuri hyped her up.

“Thank you, boo! I feel amazing. Now let me show you the outfits.”

Bre turned the camera, giving her a full view.

Nuri tilted her head, studying both options. “Wow, I love them both. But... I think you should go with the red. That’s you all the way, and it accentuates your personality perfectly.”

“I swear you know me so well, sis!”

“I better! We been friends for a long time.”

“Yesss. Alright, I’ll see you in a few. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

Just as their call ended, her phone lit up again—this time, it was a text from Silas.

Si: Loving you for a living is all a nigga tryna do… All you gotta do is let me.

Si: Picture message

This man...

This is why Nuri loved her some Silas Sullivan.

He made her heart melt. He made her feel away, and it wasn't always sexual. He made her feel special. It wasn’t just his looks, his presence, or the way his voice dipped low when he talked just to her.

It was his spirit. The way he saw her. The way he made her feel safe, even when the world felt like it was spinning off its axis.

Silas had a way of tapping into untouched corners of her soul, making her fall for him all over again every time he opened his mouth.

You already know it’s yours forever. I’m just tryna make sure I look good next to you. ??

Instead of sending a picture of herself right then, Nuri scrolled to her picture gallery, and picked an image of her posing in lingerie the morning after they’d had multiple sex sessions.

Silas hearted the picture then replied right away.

Si: Yo’ ass play all day, but I got somethin’ for that ass tonight. ??

Coco Jones' You played softly as Nuri combed down the sleek, wrapped silk press that had been resting beneath her scarf. The flat iron hissed as it kissed her hair, laying each strand down flawlessly. She then sprayed herself with one of her favorite summer perfumes, Gucci Flora . It was soft, floral, and decadent. She slipped in her diamond and silver accessories, the glittering ensemble framing her face, wrists, and neckline like a crown would grace a queen. Her fingers trembled slightly—not from nerves, but from reverence. This moment wasn’t just about walking across a stage.

It was about recovering her identity, a rebirth into womanhood with nothing, and no one holding her back.

Minutes later, her doorbell rang. "Coming!" Nuri called, her heels clicking with elegance across the floor as she made her way through the front room. When she opened the door, her mother stood there glowing, her face filled with uncontainable pride.

“Nuri! You’re breathtaking, baby.” Nova’s voice cracked, but she swallowed her emotion quickly.

“Thank you so much, ma.” Nuri smiled softly, Nuri replied, her attention instantly diverted to her new-found father, Ali.

He stood behind Nova, speechless. He was just getting to know his daughter, but she wasn't a baby anymore, she was a full-fledged adult.

He'd lucked up one time before, finding love at first sight.

Ali didn't think it would ever happen again, but when he laid eyes on Nuri—she made him a believer that miracles could happen twice.

Nuri, on the other hand, didn't know whether to address him as Dad or Ali.

"You're gorgeous, Sweetie," Ali broke the brief silence, acknowledging his daughters’ undeniable beauty. She was the perfect mix of both Nova and Ali.

"Thanks, Dad," Nuri replied with what came natural to her. When she looked in his eyes, she couldn't bring herself to call him Ali.

"Come on in. I just need to grab my purse and car keys."