BATU PAHAT: "With the willpower that I have been given, I can manage to look after Bella's children... it's just that whenever I look at them, I cry because I think of her."
Those were the words of Noraini Salleh, 55, the mother of Bella, the nickname for Mila Sharmila Samsusah, the 32-year-old woman who was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend.
After Bella's murder in December, Noraini now has, under her care, her grandchildren Eusof Abdul Fatah, 4, and his little sister Maream Isabel, 2.
She said her other daughter, Norhisham, 36, was helping her take care of the two children.
"These two are all we have of her (Bella). Sometimes I will look after them, sometimes Ayu (Norhisham's nickname) will look after them.
"We will ensure that Bella's children are well taken care of... I have to be strong for them," she said when met at the Batu Pahat court complex.
Noraini, who was accompanied by relatives, appeared calm as she entered the complex earlier, but she admitted that underneath that collected veneer, she was deeply affected by all that has happened.
"Which mother would not miss her child? But this is the reality that I have to face," she said.
Meanwhile, Norhisham said Eusof already understands that his mother was not around anymore.
She said whenever the family talks about Bella, Eusof would say that his mother had died.
"However, Maream doesn't understand what happened. We will explain things to her when she is older," she said.