You may have seen photos of the fairytale wedding between one of KL’s most prominent couples today, professional footballer Akhyar Rashid and actress Eyka Farhana, popping up all over the news and social media feeds last year. The truth is, Akhyar didn’t even plan the proposal. There were no hints, no talks, and no waiting for the “right time.”
One day, as Eyka was washing the dishes after dinner with both parents present, he announced: “Mak, Abah, next year adik nak kahwin.” [Mom, dad, I’m getting married next year.]
“I was completely shocked at the time because we hadn’t discussed it beforehand. But the way he did it – respectfully, directly, and in front of our families – felt very gentlemanly and sincere,” Eyka recalls, eyes beaming like it was just yesterday. “My parents said yes immediately. And just two to three months later, we were engaged,” Akhyar chimes in with equal fervour.
That simple moment says a lot about the couple. Despite often being in the limelight, their relationship has never been about spectacle. It is a bond shaped over time and across distance – both geographical and social – by the shared decision to grow together even before marriage entered the conversation.
Two distinct beginnings
It’s no secret that they each came from different places and career paths. Akhyar was born and raised in Kedah, growing up in a family where sports were central to everyday life. “I started playing football when I was nine years old,” the Terengganu FC forward says. “That early exposure naturally led me into my current role, and to this day, football remains something I’m deeply passionate about. It shaped my discipline, teamwork, and mindset.”
Eyka, on the other hand, grew up in Kuala Lumpur and entered the entertainment industry at the age of 17. Following her breakthrough roles in Juvana and Gemilang (2010), she gained international recognition for playing the lead in the Asian adaptation of Pretty Little Liars (2020). “In the early years, acting was something I was exploring, but as I gained more experience and maturity, I truly discovered my passion for it,” the newly turned 31-year-old shares.
Their initial connection didn’t happen in person, but through the screen. Akhyar first noticed Eyka in Polis Evo 2 and felt a strong curiosity to get to know her personally. “Fate played its part when we later crossed paths in person,” he says. “I took the initiative and reached out to her through a DM, and thankfully, she replied.”
“We started dating when we were still young, and instead of growing apart, we matured together.”
They instantly hit it off in 2019, at a formative stage of life for both of them. “We started dating when we were still young, and instead of growing apart, we matured together. We learned so much about ourselves, about love, and about fixing our mistakes to become better people for each other,” she reflects.
This gave her clarity that she had found ‘the one’ within their very first year together. “He’s a family man, which my mom always reminded me was important – because a man who prioritises his family will treat his wife the same way,” she reveals. “He’s also funny, emotionally mature, and knows how to calm me down when I get a little complicated.”
Akhyar’s sense of humour comes through as he echoes how naturally they fit into each other’s lives. “They say the way to a husband’s heart is through his stomach, and that’s very true for me,” he quips, hinting at Eyka’s natural talent for cooking. “Most importantly, she’s my best friend. We do everything together.”
Bridging the distance between worlds
Given their distinct careers, Eyka and Akhyar had to step into unfamiliar territory and confront assumptions about each other early on.
“At first, I thought her work looked quite simple,” Akhyar admits. “Once I truly saw what goes on behind the scenes – the long filming hours and commitment to different characters, projects, and brands – my perspective completely changed. I don’t think I could ever do what she does. To me, it’s like magic.”
No doubt, there were moments of discomfort too, especially when they began learning the inner workings of the other’s reality. “I’m quite introverted, so stepping into Eyka’s world was intimidating,” Akhyar continues. “Her world doesn’t stop, but watching how she handles it with grace made me fall in love with her strength even more.”
“We understand each other’s professions so well now that it almost feels like a second job to both of us.”
Eyka laughs when she recalls her own first experience in his space. “I still remember the first match I watched. I wasn’t just watching football, I was learning football at the same time,” she shares candidly. “Everyone would clap, and I would clap too… even though I had no idea which team had actually scored.”
Eventually, she learned that there was more to football than just following a routine. “I realised how much pressure, discipline, and mental strength it takes, both on and off the field. It gave me a whole new respect for what he does,” she adds.
Conflicting schedules and commitments have also made long distance a constant in their relationship. Akhyar is usually based wherever the clubs he is signed to train with are – currently in Terengganu – while Eyka often travels to film sets or around the globe for brand campaigns. Over time, however, navigating their awkward beginnings and hectic lifestyles forged a strong mutual understanding built on clear communication. “We’ve become like mirrors of each other,” Akhyar explains. “We understand each other’s professions so well now that it almost feels like a second job to both of us.”
What marriage changed – and what it didn’t
When they finally tied the knot with six receptions across four locations after five years of dating, marriage didn’t dramatically alter their routines. Instead, it changed how they carried responsibility together.
“My mindset changed 360 degrees,” Akhyar reveals. “Before marriage, she was often the one guiding and advising me. After marriage, I realised it was my turn to step up and lead – not by control, but by example.”
For Eyka, the greatest shift has been letting go of her independence and involving him in her decision-making process. “Now, every decision I make, I make with him in mind. I communicate, I ask, and I keep him informed not because I have to, but because we are a team,” she affirms.
“Every decision I make, I make with him in mind… not because I have to, but because we are a team.”
Everything else seemed to fall quite naturally into place for the couple. Time remains sacred, and whatever little they have to spare is often spent with each other. With that comes a lot of respect, patience, teamwork, and a hint of humour to keep the romance alive.
On what has been the most memorable moment for the couple so far, Akhyar gushes: “Our honeymoon, even though it wasn’t planned, became one of our happiest memories. We got lost, missed trains, and laughed through it all because we were newlyweds, together, in Japan.”
Likewise, Eyka’s favourite memory was also a trip, but one that dates back to the start of their relationship – when he asked her to be his girlfriend in Phuket. “I still remember the white dress that he had bought for me and how he surprised me with a beautiful bouquet on that day. That moment stayed with me because it was simple, sincere, and full of love,” she reminisces fondly.
Choosing “we” over “me”, always
Ask them what matters most now, and their answers align easily. “Quality time, patience, and trust,” Akhyar puts it simply. “Individually, we’re both focused on growing in our careers and supporting each other’s ambitions. As a couple, we hope to travel more together for work, build something meaningful through business, and one day, InsyaAllah, become parents.”
As they look ahead, Eyka hopes what will never change is their joy. “I want him to make me laugh every single day. I want to keep cooking his favourite meals, supporting him, standing by his side, and doing silly things together like we always do,” she says, flashing her husband a knowing smile.
No matter the distance or where their careers take them next, what makes Eyka Farhana and Akhyar Rashid’s relationship resonate most is their commitment to choosing each other every step of the way: “We hope to build a beautiful life together, grow our family, our dreams, and our success, hand-in-hand.”
Editor, interview and words: Natalie Khoo
Art direction: Driv, assisted by Imran Sulaiman
Photography: Herry Chia Ee | Herry Studio
Lighting assistant: Oscar Lee
Videography: Khairul Irsyaduddin
Video concept and subtitles: Charmaine Loh
Styling: Isaac Chong, assisted by Zi Yin
Makeup and grooming: Khir Khalid
Hair: Fiona Yip