LOVED BY MANY, CHOSEN BY NONE
Feature Film Screenplay
Written by: —JOHNHENRY
Genre: Romantic Drama / Comedy / Tragedy
Estimated Runtime: 2h 40min
FADE IN:
INT. OPEN-AIR BAR (LIVE MUSIC SPOT) – NIGHT
Warm yellow lights hang loosely above a modest open-air bar.
Plastic chairs. Wooden tables. Quiet chatter.
A CROWD gathers.
At the center, seated on a high stool, is KELVIN ADEYEMI (late 20s)
A guitar rests gently on his thigh.
He adjusts the microphone.
Silence slowly spreads.
Kelvin begins to sing.
🎵 SONG: "LOVED, NOT CHOSEN"
(Performed by Kelvin Adeyemi)
They say love is patient, love is kind
But why does it visit and never decide?
They hold my hands, then let them go
Tell me I'm special… but never stay though
The CROWD grows still.
A glass pauses mid-air.
A laugh dies out.
ANGLE ON: TWO YOUNG WOMEN IN THE CROWD
LARA JOHNSON (mid 20s) leans closer to NADIA KING (late 20s)
LARA JOHNSON
(whispering)
Why does his voice feel like a hug?
NADIA KING
Because he sings like someone who's been broken.
Kelvin continues singing, eyes half-closed.
🎵 SONG CONTINUES
They say I'm rare, they say I'm gold
But rare things still get left in the cold
If love is home, why do they roam?
Why do I sleep… loved but alone?
The final chord fades.
A long beat.
Then—
APPLAUSE.
Not casual.
Not polite.
Thunderous.
Kelvin smiles.
It is a smile he has practiced.
KELVIN (V.O.)
"Not every clap is approval; some are goodbye in advance."
EXT. OPEN-AIR BAR – LATER THAT NIGHT
Kelvin steps outside, guitar slung over his back.
Cool night air.
Almost immediately, TESSY WILLIAMS (mid 20s) approaches, playful and confident.
TESSY WILLIAMS
Kelvin, sing for me alone.
Kelvin chuckles.
KELVIN ADEYEMI
If I sing for everyone alone, my voice will resign.
Laughter erupts from nearby GIRLS.
Phones come out.
Pictures.
Videos.
Kelvin waves awkwardly.
Across the street, unnoticed by him, stands MIRA OKAFOR (late 20s).
She smiles.
Quietly.
EXT. STREET ART CORNER – DAY
Bright afternoon.
Kelvin sits on a low stool, sketchbook balanced on his knee.
A small line of GIRLS waits.
He sketches quickly, confidently.
NADIA KING steps forward, posing.
NADIA KING
Make my nose smaller.
Kelvin doesn't look up.
KELVIN ADEYEMI
I draw faces, not miracles.
The GIRLS burst into laughter.
Nearby, DANIEL "DAN" KAY (late 20s) watches, amused.
DAN KAY
Guy, you sure say you no dey use charm?
Kelvin flips the sketchbook around, revealing Nadia's portrait.
KELVIN ADEYEMI
If na charm, at least one for don stay.
Laughter again.
Even Kelvin laughs.
MIRA OKAFOR
Standing a few steps away, laughing softly.
Then she stops.
Looks down.
KELVIN (V.O.)
"The man who jokes about pain has learned survival."
INT. CAFÉ – EVENING
Soft jazz music.
Kelvin sits across from LARA JOHNSON.
Two cups of coffee sit untouched.
Kelvin inhales.
KELVIN ADEYEMI
I like you. Not casually. Intentionally.
Lara smiles, but her eyes betray hesitation.
LARA JOHNSON
Kelvin, you make me feel free.
Kelvin's face brightens.
A hopeful beat.
Then—
LARA JOHNSON (CONT'D)
But my boyfriend has money. And direction.
Kelvin nods slowly.
KELVIN ADEYEMI
And peace?
Lara looks away.
LARA JOHNSON
Peace doesn't pay rent.
She stands.
Grabs her bag.
LARA JOHNSON (CONT'D)
Don't change.
She walks out.
Kelvin remains seated.
Still.
INT. FRIENDS' HANGOUT – NIGHT
Loud music. Plastic cups. Laughter.
Kelvin stands among friends.
He raises his glass.
🎵 SONG: "ATM LOVE"
(Kelvin & Friends – playful, sarcastic)
If love was cash I'd be a millionaire
But feelings don't withdraw anywhere
They swipe my heart, decline the stay
Say "You're enough" then walk away
The group laughs and sings along.
OSCAR BELLO (early 30s) shouts over the noise.
OSCAR BELLO
Bro, love is not market!
Kelvin grins.
KELVIN ADEYEMI
Then why everybody dey price-check?
Explosive laughter.
Mira, seated quietly, smiles.
But her eyes don't.
INT. MIRA OKAFOR'S ROOM – NIGHT
Dim light.
Mira sits on her bed, diary open.
She sings softly to herself.
🎵 SONG: "I STAYED"
(Mira Okafor – gentle, restrained)
I stayed when songs turned into sighs
I stayed when hope forgot your eyes
I stayed when love felt out of reach
I stayed… but you never looked at me
She closes the diary.
On the page:
"Loving Kelvin is like clapping for a performer who never bows."
FADE OUT.