09/04/2026
Title:CHIOMA’S SHADOW
NT. OKOYE MANSION – BANQUET HALL – MORNING
Sunlight pours through floor-to-ceiling windows. A long marble dining table is set with fresh fruits, pancakes, and Nigerian breakfast – akara, pap, and fried plantain.
CHIOMA (10, in her private-school uniform, shiny black shoes) sits between her parents. She is giggling.
CHIOMA
Daddy, you promised! After school today we go to the mall and buy the big teddy bear with the pink bow!
MR. OKOYE (smiling, feeding her a piece of plantain)
Anything for my princess. Best school in Lagos, best everything. You will be the greatest doctor in Nigeria one day.
MRS. OKOYE (kissing Chioma’s forehead)
And we will always be here to give you the world, my love. Finish your pap.
Chioma hugs both parents at once.
CHIOMA
I love you more than all the stars in the sky!
They laugh happily.
CUT TO:
EXT. OKOYE MANSION – DRIVEWAY – SAME MORNING
A black Range Rover is parked. The driver opens the door.
MR. OKOYE
We are going to the bank to sign some papers, then straight back home. By 6 p.m. latest. Be good for Aunty Bisi till we return.
CHIOMA (waving)
I will! Bring me ice-cream!
MRS. OKOYE
We will, my jewel.
They blow kisses. The car drives off.
CHIOMA stands at the gate, smiling until the car disappears.
CUT TO:
INT. CHIOMA’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Chioma is in bed, wearing her favourite princess pyjamas, waiting. The wall clock shows 10:47 p.m.
Her phone (a child’s iPad) rings. She picks it up excitedly.
CHIOMA
Daddy? Mummy? You’re back?
Instead, it’s the voice of the family lawyer.
LAWYER (on phone, voice breaking)
Chioma… there has been a terrible accident on the Third Mainland Bridge. Your parents… they did not make it.
Chioma freezes. The iPad slips from her hand.
CHIOMA (whisper)
No… they promised ice-cream.
She starts crying softly, then louder.
CUT TO:
EXT. CEMETERY – THREE DAYS LATER
Rain falls lightly. Chioma, dressed in black, stands beside two fresh graves. She holds a single rose.
CHIOMA (voice shaking)
Mummy… Daddy… please come back. I will not ask for any more teddy bears. Just come back.
AUNTY NGOZI (tall, wearing expensive aso-oke, but her face is hard) steps forward and puts a heavy hand on Chioma’s shoulder.
AUNTY NGOZI
Stop that noise. Your papa and mama are gone. From today, you are my responsibility. The court has given me everything – the house, the companies, the money – to take care of you. Come.
She pulls Chioma away roughly.
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