Dearly missed: Norhisham (right) and Eusuf (second right) paying their respects at Bella’s grave at the Banang Jaya Muslim cemetery. — Bernama
BATU PAHAT: The absence of Mira Sharmilah Samsusah or Bella on Hari Raya this year certainly had an impact on her two young children.
Bella’s sister Norhisham said sadness was clearly visible, especially for five-year-old Eusuf Abdul Fatah, who was pensive and did not speak much, unlike during previous celebrations.
Norhisham, 37, affectionately known as Ayu, said Eusuf and three-year-old Mariam appear to be expecting someone to give them motherly hugs and kisses.
“Thank you, Ummi (that’s how Eusuf addresses Ayu). That’s what Eusuf said to me when I dressed him in Raya clothes, apart from saying that he didn’t see his mummy on the morning of Hari Raya.
“His words made me tear up. It shows that my nephew misses his mother deeply after not seeing her for more than four months,” she told reporters when met at the Banang Jaya Muslim cemetery yesterday, Bernama reported.
According to Ayu, she feels that she needs to be a “substitute” mother to her young nephew and niece to help them cope with their longing for their mother.
She also said she really missed Bella as her younger sister would be the most excited person making preparations for Hari Raya.
“This year, it is extra quiet as I cannot hear Bella’s chatter.
“Likewise, during Ramadan, we used to break fast together but this time, it was too lonely without her presence,” she said.
“In the past, we would celebrate Hari Raya in our village in Kuala Selangor.
“I will try to make my young nephew and niece happy. As long as I am alive, I will give them love. It is an ‘amanah’ (trust) to raise and educate them,” she added.
Bella, 32, a single mother of two, was reported missing on Dec 14 last year after she left in her boyfriend’s car to go to a laundromat.
On Jan 19, skeletal remains, confirmed to belong to Bella, were found by police in Lorong Imam Jailani, Kampung Batu 7, Tongkang Pecah, here, after being led there by one of the main suspects.
On March 30, police confirmed that bone fragments, found in an abandoned house in Tongkang Pecah on Feb 28, belonged to Bella.
