It was supposed to be just another regular afternoon, a peaceful moment away from nursing school stress, sipping my favorite iced matcha in my favorite corner of the café. I had my notes laid out, highlighters uncapped, and a solid plan to finish three chapters before dinner. But apparently, fate had other plans. Tall, dark, and absolutely unfair to look at, he walked in wearing army boots and a look that screamed "serious," and somehow ended up right in front of me. He glanced at the 10 pesos I had casually left on my table, then at me, and asked, “Can I borrow this?” But instead of pointing with his hand, like a normal person, he used his lips. His actual lips. I blinked, panicked, and completely misunderstood. For a second... just one second, I thought he was asking for a kiss. My brain short-circuited. My heart forgot how to beat. I may have squeaked. It was awkward, confusing, and definitely something I’d think about at 3 a.m. for the rest of my life. But somehow, that moment, that silly misunderstanding over ten pesos was the start of something I never saw coming. Because that was the day I met him. The soldier who would test my patience, challenge my heart, and change everything I thought I knew about love. All because of 10 pesos… and a kiss