Once upon a time in the suburban city of New Orleans, there was a man named Charles. He was quite happy with his relationship until his girlfriend introduced him to a peculiar dish that she claimed was her family recipe, Spaghetti and Meatballs. Charles found the color a bit unconventional, but didn't dwell on it much, out of love and respect for his beloved Joslyn.
Each time Charles ate this dish, his heart swelled with warmth and attachment towards Joslyn. He, however, began experiencing a queasy feeling after eating her spaghetti. For some inexplicable reason, he fell ill each time he consumed this odd yet supposedly endearing spaghetti dish.
As days turned into weeks, Charles's illness grew severe. Even the doctors were unable to decipher the reason behind his worsening condition. Confused by this turn of events, he was wondering why he always fell sick after Joslyn's special meatballs and Spaghetti.
Charles, one evening in his weakened state, noticed Joslyn behaving peculiarly while preparing dinner. Joslyn looked nervous as she got busy with the pasta sauce. The deep red colour was eerie, even sinister, something Charles hadn't noticed before. This abnormal sight raised suspicion in Charles's mind. Despite his ailment, he decided to watch her closer, hoping to unearth what was really happening.
Soon he discovered Joslyn’s abominable act of mixing her menstrual blood into the pasta sauce, an old superstition she had learnt from her mother that if a woman added a drop of her menstrual blood into the food she prepared for her partner, it would bind him to her forever.
Horrified, Charles was lost for words. His suspicion of Joslyn making him sick was true. But he couldn't come to terms with her abhorrent act for binding him to her. Gathering all his courage, he confronted her, demanding an explanation.
Stunned by his discovery, Joslyn hesitantly denied the revolting practice. She defended herself, saying I would never do anything like that. I have heard about it from my mom she told me it was an age-old custom that women back in day practiced. They called it 'red love potion' and, was supposedly to ensure the man you are dating never stopped loving them.
Charles was disgusted, not only by the health implications but also by Joslyn’s misguided notion of love. Love wasn't about control or coercion, he firmly believed. Joslyn’s act shattered his trust. His mind was foggy, his heart shattered and the woman he loved stood in front of him, appearing as a stranger.
Finally, he decided to leave Joslyn, the relationship that he once cherished felt like a deception. Despite the sickness that still weighed him down, Charles left with a determination to rebuild his life with honesty, respect and true love. And, certainly, with no more red spaghetti sauce.