Food inspectors

Thais are an observant lot. Today I went to the market, where I bought our lunch, including a couple of items requested by boyfriend Maiyuu.

On my way back I ran into several of Maiyuu's friends from the condo, including one girl, Mai, who knows he has been ill.

Mai asked what I had bought, and I showed her. 'Who is drinking the sour milk, and the khao tom?' she asked quickly.

'Maiyuu.'

'He's really that sick, is he?' she asked. Her friends looked at me, waiting for a reply.

I am supposed to be keeping Maiyuu's cancer diagnosis a secret, so could not say much. While Maiyuu was still in hospital I sent a text message to Mai, telling her he was unwell, as I thought his friends should know. It was only later that he instructed me to stay mum.

'You should ask Maiyuu yourself - but as far as I can see, he looks fine,' I said.

Maiyuu's weight has actually increased, from 45kg, before he was admitted to hospital, to 52kg now.

Thanks to his medication, he is eating ravenously, though still likes to eat food which Thais normally order as comfort food when feeling ill. Sour milk helps ease stomach pains, while khao tom is general comfort food, good to eat when you are sick because it is bland.

I shall have to be more careful. Around here, even what you eat can become public knowledge.