Wonderfully sublime and insightful, What If? by K Yousaf is a fascinating glimpse at obsession, affection and true friendship. Artfully penned with a pitch-perfect prose and bold narratives, this novel is savvy, sexy and surprisingly tender. At university in Pakistan, Asad Abid is a man caught between his dreamscapes and a harsh reality. As he attempts to win the affections of Yana, he is forced to make friends with a bevy of her pals. There is Ali, a guy who thinks he is God's gift to women, Mehrunnisa, a beauty with brains, and Aamir, who is at ease and in love, which goes to prove that love can happen. The problem is that it does not look as if it will happen between Asad and Yana. As the group moves in mysterious ways, it might be that Asad learns the value of friendship-for when Yana falls, it will be because of friendship. After tensions rise, Yana gives Asad an ultimatum-one that is not without pain and honesty.