Cover image via Harian Metro
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Following a 27-year marriage that ended in divorce, 51-year-old Elya Sudirman has now found love with a 23-year-old man
Speaking to Harian Metro, Elya said she married Mohamad Aizat Aiman Halim, 28, on 12 November 2023, less than a year after meeting on TikTok.
Aizat lost sight in his left eye at the age of 11 after a freak accident, but his honesty and sincerity convinced Elya to give love another chance.
"From the start, he told me about his condition. For me, that was never a problem. I'm not afraid of getting married again.
"Many men wanted to get close, including married ones, but I chose him because I saw his sincerity," she said.
Her children, three of whom are already married, have accepted the relationship. Even her mother-in-law, just two years older than Elya, has welcomed her warmly.
"My children are also fine with it. They can accept him because their ages are quite close to my husband's.
"My husband also knows how to adapt his character to situations. When it's time to be serious, he's mature. And he's also good at winning hearts. Simply put, we're really ngam (compatible) and most importantly, he's tolerant and helps me a lot with housework," she said.
Still, Elya admitted she sometimes feels hurt by criticism
"Some questioned why I chose him because of his age and disability. But to me, no human is perfect. I believe this is God's plan, and I pray our marriage lasts until Jannah," she told the Malay daily.
Elya has since been helping out at her husband's family eatery in Sik, Kedah.
Meanwhile, Aizat said Elya's sincerity in accepting his condition was what won his heart, and he chose to marry her without letting age stand in the way.
"Before I met my wife, I had met other women, but often got rejected.
"Rejection is something I've got used to. Usually, at the beginning, things were fine, but once they discovered I was disabled, some would suddenly disappear.
"I was aware of my shortcomings, but I saw Elya's sincerity in accepting me as I am. Even before marriage, she came to meet my family.
"That's what made me fall for her and not look at anyone else," he said.
