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KUALA LUMPUR - Singer and actress Bella Astillah presented a new song, titled ‘Bersama Aku Setia Selamanya’, to her husband, Member of Parliament for Muar Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, as a special gift at their wedding reception here last night.
Bella, 32, whose real name is Dayang Ara Nabellah Awang Astillah, said the song was performed for the first time at the reception and was produced with the help of singer and composer Hael Husaini, who also co-wrote the lyrics based on the couple’s love story.
She said the song was put together within a relatively short period, with Hael providing considerable assistance, including during the recording sessions.
"I was really nervous because this was my first time singing the song. The plan also came together quite quickly. I’m grateful to Hael for helping me so much with the lyrics. We went to the studio three times to record it, and he was there to help me on all three occasions,” she told a press conference after the reception at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) here.
Bella said she also shared the details of how they first met and the journey of their relationship with Hael through WhatsApp messages to help him write the lyrics.
According to Bella, she chose the title ‘Bersama Aku Setia Selamanya’ herself, and the song is expected to be released soon. She also revealed that both her children, Mohamad Ayden Adrean, nine, and Ara Adreanna, six, have already memorised the entire song.
Meanwhile, Syed Saddiq, 34, who heard the song for the first time at the reception, admitted that he was deeply touched by the special surprise from his wife.
"I was melting, of course! And it was my first time hearing it,” he said when asked how he felt after watching Bella’s performance.
Sharing their experience of married life after a week as husband and wife, Bella said she is still adjusting to a new routine after moving with her two children into Syed Saddiq’s home.
She said one of the things she learned about her husband was his simple lifestyle, including his breakfast habits. Syed Saddiq, she said, preferred simple meals such as cereal and occasionally pancakes on weekends.
In his speech at the reception, Syed Saddiq described Bella as an extraordinary woman who had made many sacrifices for her family from a young age, addressing views held by some quarters that the couple was not well matched.
Speaking to reporters on the matter later, he said standing up for his wife is part of his responsibility as a husband. However, he stressed that Bella is an independent and resilient woman who has the strength to build a life for herself.
"The notion that Bella needs saving is untrue. Because the reality is, I did not save her. Bella saved herself. She’s independent, she’s strong, she’s resilient,” he said.
Bella said she was deeply moved by her husband’s remarks and expressed gratitude that he sincerely accepted and loved both her children.
On their honeymoon plans, Syed Saddiq said the couple would only be able to go after the current Parliament sitting, which runs until December. They also hoped to bring Ayden and Ara along.
The couple tied the knot on Oct 10 at Menara Merdeka 118 and are scheduled to continue their wedding celebrations with a ‘Kenduri Rakyat’ in Muar, Johor, on Oct 25, followed by another celebration in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, on Oct 31. - BERNAMA
