Ile Debayo (Debayo's House) - By Peace Adegbenro

Written By: Peace Adegbenro

Category: Short Film

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Peace Adegbenro, a talented storyteller, presents "Ile Debayo (Debayo's House)" in the Creative Writing category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This short film script is set in Ibadan, Nigeria, and explores the poignant journey of a couple grappling with loss and the memories that bind them to their past. Through gentle dialogue and cultural nuances, Adegbenro invites us into a deeply personal narrative of love and resilience.

About the Work

"Ile Debayo" is a heart-rending exploration of grief and healing, capturing the complex emotions of a couple dealing with the absence of their child. The narrative unfolds through tender interactions and evocative imagery, painting a vivid picture of love, memory, and the struggle to move forward. Adegbenro's script beautifully balances sorrow with moments of warmth and hope, highlighting the enduring bonds of family and the courage required to face the future.

Ile Debayo (Debayo's House)

Original Submission by Peace Adegbenro

Ilé Débáyọ

Written by

Peace Adegbenro

Copyright (c) 2026

padegbenro3@gmail.com

________________

1 INT. OKIKI and KOrede's house - bedroom - AFTERNOON 1

It's a sunny afternoon in 1989 Ibadan, Nigeria. Okiki, F.27, is sitting at a dressing mirror in a beautiful ankara dress. She is casually singing "Esubiri Ebo Mi" by King Sunny Ade as she applies powder.

Okiki

Esu biri biri ke bo mi o... Iwaju loloko yi wa mi lo, eyin loloko yi wa mi lo mi o...

Korede, M.30, leans on the door frame behind her, with his suitcase and a package in his hand. He watches her intently for a moment.

Okiki

Esu biri biri ke bo mi o... Iwaju loloko yi wa mi lo...

Korede

Eyin loloko yi wa mi lo...

(cutting in)

Okiki is somewhat startled by his voice, realizing he has been standing there. She smiles as her eyes meet his gaze in the mirror.

Korede drops what he is carrying on the bed, and grabs Okiki's hand. She stands and he spins her around as they dance to the song together.

OKIKI/korede

Mi o mo, mi o mo ye o, mi o mo...

OkIKI

Ah! Korede, la ti igba wo lo ti n duro n'ibe yen? - Ah! Korede, how long have you been standing there?

KoREDE

Se mi o le wo iyawo mi mo ni? - Can't I admire my wife anymore?

OKIKI

Iwo lo mo! Kaabo. - That's your own! Welcome.

Korede plants a kiss on her cheek.

KOREDE

O se. - Thank you.

Okiki returns to applying her powder. Korede takes a good look at her again.

KOREDE

Ahan! Wo bi o se re wa. - Ahan! Look how beautiful you are.

Okiki blushes.

OKIKI

Toripe o n toju mi ni. - It is because you are taking care of me.

KOREDE

Ahan! Okiki billions!

OKIKI

Emi niyen ooo - That is me oo. One in town!

(laughing)

KOREDE

Oya, di ju, mo ra nkan fun e. - Close your eyes, I bought something for you.

OKIKI

Di ju ba wo? - Close my eyes?

KOREDE

A ni ko di'ju... - I said close your eyes na...

Okiki obliges and closes her eyes. Korede grabs the necklace he got and places it on her neck. He is wearing a smile of pride looking at it on her.

KOREDE

Okay, mo ti se tan. - Okay, I am done.

Okiki opens her eyes. Her face illuminates with a smile as she sees the necklace.

OKIKI

Ehhh, oko mi. O re wa gann ooo - Ehh, my husband. It is so beautiful.

(beat)

Ehn, Olowo ori mi, ayan fe mi... O seun. - My love, Thank you.

KOREDE

Only the best for my best lady.

Korede kisses her shoulder. Okiki returns to admiring the necklace.

OKIKI

Ahan! Ronke so pe o maa wa ki mi lola, nkan ti mo ma wo le leyi. - Ahan! Ronke said she will come and greet me tomorrow, this is what I am going to wear.

Korede turns away from Okiki, towards the bed. He is visibly concerned as he fiddles with a letter from his briefcase.

OKIKI

Mo de se ounje fun e o. - And I cooked for you o.

Korede doesn't respond.

OKIKI

Iyan to fele ehn, pelu obe egusi. - Very soft pounded yam with egusi.

Korede clears his throat, contemplating whether or not to speak. Okiki continues, voice still chirpy.

OkIKI

Wo, wa like e gan ni. - Look, you will really like it.

Korede finally musters the courage to speak.

KOREDE

Mr. Ilesanmi ran se si wa. - Mr. Ilesanmi contacted us.

Okiki freezes. Her smile drops almost immediately.

A beat.

OKIKI

Korede, o de o. - Korede, you have come again o.

Korede moves to stand by her side, showing her the letter. Okiki turns slightly away from him.

KOREDE

Look, won ni pe won maa fun wa ni ile tuntun ati moto tuntun. - Look, they said they will give us a new house and car.

She turns to him as she speaks.

OKIKI

To ba wu won, kan fun wa ni gbo gbo aiye ati oorun. Mo ni pe mi o lo s'eko! - If they like, let them give us the heaven and earth, I am not going to Lagos!

KOREDE

O de gbo temi ehn? - Try to listen to me ehn.

OKIKI

Se idi to fi ra nkan wa fun mi niyen? - Is this why you bought me something?

(beat)

To ba je be, wo, gba nkan e. - If that is the case, take your thing.

She takes off the necklace.

OkIKI

Mi o lo s'eko! - I am not going to Lagos!

Okiki moves to the window, folding her arms. Korede follows her.

KOREDE

Ki lo de? Mo ti be e be e lori oro yii. - What is it? I have begged and begged you on this matter.

Okiki responds, trying not to get emotional.

OKIKI

O fe fi gbo gbo nkan to n ran wa leti ni pa Debayo sile ninu ile yi, ko ma lo s'eko? - You want to leave everything that reminds us of Debayo in this house and go to Lagos?

(beat)

Ehn? Korede?

KOREDE

But o ti to odun kan ehn, oti to odun kan. - But it's been 1 year.

Okiki looks at him in shock and disappointment, holding back her tears.

OKIKI

Odun kan? Korede, odun kan? Abi ki lo n so lenu? - One year? Korede, one year? Or what are you saying?

(beat)

Se odun kan o kere ju fun Debayo ni? - Is one year not too small for our Debayo?

Korede purses his lips. He lets out a sigh.

KOREDE

But we can't stay here forever.

Okiki notices the look on his face.

OKIKI

Ah ah, o ti ye mi - Ah ah ah, I understand.

OkIKI

O ti lo dara po mo awon aunty Romolake? - You have gone to join aunty Romolake?

(beat)

O ro pe... Mo ti n ya were abi? Pe mi o le fi Debayo si le? - You think... I am going crazy? That I can't let go of Debayo?

Korede's face falls with a guilty look like a boy who has been caught stealing meat from his mother's pot.

KOREDE

Ayanfe mi...

OKIKI

No, puro fun mi pe o ro be - No, lie to me and say that's not what you are thinking.

KOREDE

Okiki mi... - My Okiki...

(reaching out for her hand)

Okiki shrugs his hand away.

OKIKI

Fi mi si le! - Leave me alone!

KOREDE

Kilo de gan-gan?! Ehn?! - What is it exactly ehn?

Okiki kisses her teeth in frustration.

KOREDE

Ki ni mi o se fun e. Ehn Okiki, mo n bi e? - What have I not done for you? Okiki, I am asking you?

She refuses to give a response or look at him.

KOREDE

Se o ro pe iwo nikan lo n sofo Debayo ni?! O n dun emi na, but at least I'm trying - Do you think you are the only one mourning Debayo? It is paining me too but at least I'm trying.

(beat)

Sugbon, iwo ke - ki lo n se? O yari, o o kuro ninu ile, afi shop ni kan. Ehn? We cannot continue like this! - But you, what are you doing? You refuse to leave this house, except to your shop.

The tears spill from Okiki's eyes.

KOREDE

Wo, e mi n lo si eko o - Iwo lo maa pinnu boya o ma bami lo. - See, I am going to Lagos o, you decide if you are coming or not.

At that, Korede leaves the room. Okiki looks at him in shock.

OkIKI

Korede... Korede!

(calling after him)

Okiki closes her eyes and lets the tears drop.

2 INT. OKIKI and KOrede's house - BEDROOM - MORNING 2

Korede is packing some things into his suitcase for work. The air is heavy with an awkward silence. Okiki stands close to the door and watches him with a certain pain in her eyes.

OKIKI

Karo - Good morning.

KOREDE

Karo. - Good morning.

OKIKI

Mo se ounje fun e. - I made some food for you.

(placing a lunch box down)

KOREDE

O se. - Thank you.

Okiki nods. Korede starts heading out. He stops at the door, next to Okiki, wearing a hollow stare. Okiki opens her mouth, then closes it again.

KOREDE

Mo ti n nlo. - I am going.

Okiki opens her mouth and closes it again.

OkIKI

Mo... - I...

She sighs, then turns to look at him. Korede continues looking ahead, not making eye contact.

OkiKI

O daabo - Goodbye

Korede leaves the room.

3 INT. OKIKI and KOrede's house - LIVING ROOM - DAY 3

Ronke, F.28, is sitting on the couch. Okiki enters the room with a tray of Juice and biscuits. She is notably not wearing the necklace Korede bought. She places the tray down.

RONKE

O seun. - Thank you.

(beat)

Wo mo ti so fun e, okunrin daada ni Korede o... Ko ya di mu daada - See, Korede is a good man o... You better hold him tight.)

(beat)

Because okunrin scarcee mehn Ah! - Because men are scarce!

Okiki scrunches her nose in disapproval as she sits.

OkIKI

Se mo so pe okunrin buruku ni tele tele? Abi kini gbo gbo rada rada to n so lenu. - Did I say he was a bad man before? Or what rubbish are you saying?

Ronke purses her lips and folds her hands in front of her chest.

RONKE

Ah e pele o, sa ma dupe pe Korede o ri bi ode Femi yen... Ko de ni da fun e, Femi. - Just thank God that Korede is not like that Femi... And it will not be well with you, Femi.

Okiki looks at her in amusement.

OKIKI

Kini Femi tun se bayi? - What has Femi done again?

RONKE

O seun o. Mo lo ra ounje lodo Iya Bose. Ni mo ba ri Femi ni be pelu omo Ranti yen. - Thank you o. I went to buy food at Iya Bose's place. Only for me to see Femi there with that Ranti girl.

OKIKI

Ah! Ki lo wa se fun? - What did you now do to him?

Ronke Hisses.

RONKE

Mo fo leti straight ni. - I slapped him straight away.

OKIKI

Niwaju Ranti?! - In front of Ranti?

RONKE

Of course yes! Lehin igba ti mo fun lowo. O tun wa gbe Ranti yen jade. - Of course yes! After I gave him money. He now went to take Ranti out again.

OKIKI

Sugbon mo ti so fun e, ko ma ma tele Femi yen. - But I have told you, stop following that Femi.

RONKE

Wo fi mi le jare... Oro ti e la sin so. O fe lo s'eko? - Leave me alone jor... It's your own matter we are still discussing. You don't want to go to Lagos?

RONKE

Ore mi, Eko de da oo. Lagos is good o.

OKIKI

Mi o feran Eko jor. - I don't like Lagos.

(waving her hand dismissively)

RONKE

Kilode? Ko de ro la ti odo Korede now. O tin gbiyanju fun eyin mejeji. - Why? you should think about it from Korede's point of view. He has been trying for the both of you.

OKIKI

Mi o mo bi mo se le fi ile yi si le. - I don't know how I can leave this house.

RONKE

Ile ke? Ki lo wa ninu ile yi? Wo, ko ya fi ile oloriburuku yi sile ko ma lo s'eko. - Ahan, house? What is in this house? See, you should quickly leave this stupid house and go to Lagos.

Okiki turns to Ronke with a sharp look. Ronke realizes she has said something offensive and gives her an apologetic look. Ronke puts her hands up like she has been caught.

RONKE

Ah, ma binu, ko kin se ile oloriburuku. - Sorry, It's not a stupid house.

OKIKI

Ile ti Debayo gbe dagba... - The house Debayo grew in...

Okiki's mood drops from the weight of her words but she tries to continue listening.

RONKE

Ma binu, ma binu. - Sorry, sorry.

Okiki's mind drifts from Ronke's voice as she stares into the distance thinking with a blank stare.

A beat, then Ronke clears her throat before talking in the background.

RoNKE

Emi kan ro pe... Eko a da fun yin. Ko ro daada ehn?...

Ronke's voice fades into inaudible dialogue.

4 INT. OKIKI and KOrede's house - KITCHEN - AFTERNOON 4

Korede is looking for something in the kitchen cabinet, when a feeding bottle drops. He stops and stares at it for a moment. He picks it up from the floor before sitting on the floor himself. He just sits there for a moment looking at it, then he closes his eyes.

A beat.

OkIKI (O.S.)

Korede! Se o ti ri? - Korede! Have you seen it?

This brings Korede back to reality. He opens his eyes and clears his throat.

KOREDE

Err rara, mo n bo. - Er no, I am coming.

He stands up and leaves the kitchen.

5 INT. OKIKI and KOrede's house - bedroom - night 5

Okiki and Korede are asleep in bed. Okiki turns to the right, then to the left, and to the right again. She eventually opens her eyes.

She gets up carefully, trying not to wake her husband. She grabs her ankara wrapper, ties a head scarf, and heads out of the room.

6 INT. OKIKI and KOrede's house - nursery/living room - continuOUS 6

Okiki leans on the door frame and stares into the room. We see a box with toys inside the room, with a child's shirt inside. She walks in after a beat, touching the toys first before taking the shirt and sitting down. She takes a deep breath in.

OKIKI

Hmmm!

(beat)

Olorun t'ape t'o n je. O je lori oro Debayo o. Mo pe o, mo be o. Mo so pe... maa m'omo mi lo. - The God we call on and answers. You didn't answer on Debayo's case o. I called you, I begged you. I said... Don't take away my child.

(beat)

Sugbon o gbe lo. - But you took him.

Okiki places the shirt on her chest, with tears forming in her eyes.

OkIKI

Kini mo se? T'ani mo se?... to fi m'omo mi lo. Omo mi Debayo. - What did I do? Who did I offend?... That you took away my child.

(voice breaking)

Ah! Eleyi ti po ju fun mi. Se eleyi o ti po ju fun mi? - Ah! This is too much for me. Is this not too much for me?

Okiki slides to the ground from the couch, holding Debayo's shirt.

OKIKI

Debayo mi, Akanbi, Aremu mi. Elemi ti mu emi omo mi lo. T'ani mo se? Debayo!!... Oti po ju fun mi, eleyi ti po ju fun mi! Oluwa saanu mi, eleda mi, saanu mi... O ti po ju fun mi ahhhh! - My Debayo, my first born, my prince. The owner of life has taken my son's life. Who did I offend? Debayo!!... It's too much for me, this is too much for me! God have mercy on me, my creator, have mercy... It's too much for me ahhh!

Korede enters the room with concern written on his face. He kneels to meet her on the floor, holding her.

KoREDE

Pele, pele. - Sorry, sorry.

OKIKI

Korede, mi o le se, mi ole fi Debayo sile. - Korede, I cannot do it.

(shaking her head)

Korede continues to console her as she cries into his chest.

KOREDE

O ti to, o ti to - It's okay, it's okay.

OKIKI

Mi o le... mi ole se. Oluwa saanu mi - I can't... I can't do it. God have mercy on me.

Korede mutters prayers to God as well. Okiki rests on his shoulder as she continues sobbing.

7 EXT. OKIKI and KOrede's house - GARDEN - DAY 7

Okiki is sitting on the grass, reading a book. Korede enters with a tray of bananas, groundnuts, and oranges. He places them by her side. Okiki drops her book.

KOREDE

Nle - Hello.

Okiki looks at him.

OkIKI

Kaasan - Afternoon.

(beat)

O se - Thank you.

(pointing to the fruits)

KOREDE

Mo n bo - I am coming.

Korede drops the tray then goes back into the house. When he returns, he is holding a box.

OKIKI

Kini? - What is it?

Korede sits down and hands her the box. She opens it to find some of Debayo's favorite toys and socks. A folded piece of paper sits on top. She smiles.

OkIKI

Awon nkan Debayo. - Debayo's things.

KOREDE

Hmmm, we need to keep them... And open this.

(pointing to the paper)

Okiki opens the page to find the date "10.12.1987" on it.

OKIKI

His birthday?

KOREDE

Mo fe ka se ayeye iranti tiwa fun Debayo. - I want us to do our own memorial service for Debayo.

Okiki looks at him shocked.

OKIKI

Aunty Romolake nko? Won ma so pe eewo ni fun obi lati lo si isinku omo l'asa wa. - What of Aunty Romolake, she will say it's an abomination for a parent to attend the child's funeral in our culture.

Korede sighs, then turns to her fully.

KOREDE

Nkan ti o ye ka se nigba to sele le leyi. Ma binu. - This is what we were supposed to do when it happened. I am sorry.

(beat)

Ife mi, eni to n wo bata lo mo ibi to ti n ta oun. Mo ti ri bi o se n se e lodun to koja. To ba je pe kini yi a ran e lowo, Then, nkan ta ma se niyen. - My love, it is the person wearing the shoe that knows where it is pinching him. I have seen how this has affected you in the past year. If this will help you, then, that is what we will do.

OKIKI

Sugbon Aunty... - But Aunty...

koREDE

Shhh, ta lo ma so fun won? O ma je emi ati iwo nikan. Omo wa ni. Shh, who will tell them? It will be just you and I. He is our child.

Okiki swallows hard, letting the tear fall. Her voice goes soft. Korede rubs her shoulder, calming her.

OKIKI

O seun - Thank you.

(beat)

Iwo nko? Mi o tii ro ti e lodun yii. Ma binu. - What about you? I haven't thought about you this year, sorry.

KOREDE

Ko rorun fun mi na. Gbo gbo yara ninu ile yi lo maa n je kin ranti Debayo. O de dun mi gan ni. - It hasn't been easy for me too. Every room in this house reminds me of Debayo. It pains me a lot.

OKIKI

Se idi to fi fe lo s'eko niyen? - Is that why you want to go to Lagos?

KOREDE

O pelu. - It is part of it.

Okiki looks at him with eyes filled with sympathy.

OKIKI

Then Boya, boya ka ma lo. - Then maybe, maybe we should go.

Korede shakes his head.

KOREDE

Rara o. Mo fe ka lo s'eko, but I don't want it to break you. - No. I want us to go to Lagos, but I don't want it to break you.

(shaking his head)

A ma lo tiwo ba ti se tan lati lo. Ki la n sa fun? - We will go to Lagos when you're ready to go. What are we running for?

Korede pulls her into his embrace from behind.

KOREDE

Emi naa ti ri pe mi o le sa kuro ogbe okan yii. Mo gbodo doju ko titi ti okan mi maa fi san. - I too see that I cannot run from this pain. I need to face it till my heart heals.

Okiki turns her head to look at him, he kisses her cheek in return.

OKIKI

Oluwa a ran wa lowo. - God will help us.

They both savour the silence for a bit. Korede reaches for a piece for fruit to feed her.

OKIKI

O wa so pe waa da lo si Eko - You now said you will go to Lagos alone... As if you can survive without me.

(chuckling)

KOREDE

(chuckles)

O mo pe bi igbin re ba fa, ikarahun mi a tele - If the snail crawls, the shell follows.

OKIKI

Of course, because I am the Queen of your heart.

(teasingly)

KOREDE

O se. Okiki billions! - Thank you. Okiki billions!

They both laugh as he gives her a fruit to eat.

6 MONTHS LATER

8 EXT. OKIKI and KOrede's house - OUTSIDE - DAY 8

We see the boot of a car loaded with bags. Korede is standing by the car watching Okiki as she brings Debayo's memory box to add to the luggage. They both turn to the house and take a deep breath as they look at it one more time. Korede wraps his hands around Okiki, as they silently say their final goodbyes.

KoREDE

We will carry him in our hearts.

Okiki nods and rests her head on his shoulder. After a moment of reflection, they get into the car and drive off.

FADE OUT.

BLACK SCREEN:

SUPERIMPOSE: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" - Matthew 5:4

FADE TO BLACK.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, celebrates diverse voices in the world of literature and creative arts. This international event provides a platform for writers and creators to share their unique stories and artistic expressions, fostering a community of creativity and cultural exchange.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Peace Adegbenro for sharing "Ile Debayo (Debayo's House)" with the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your narrative offers a touching exploration of grief and love, resonating deeply with audiences. We appreciate your contribution and look forward to seeing more of your work in the future.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.