[2] The author stated that the novel is based on the "rampant corruption" apparent in the Indian educational system, with the choice of Varanasi as a setting emerging through "a special connection to the city" following his visit.

To help improve his rank, Gopal moves to Kota alone to join reputed coaching classes to resit the exam the following year.

When they rekindle their friendship, Gopal begins to study hard again, but gets a low rank once more after sitting the AIEEE exam for the second time.

After some deliberation, Gopal agrees to the deal and joins the system of corruption in India in order to build the college with the politician's black money.

He finds it difficult and painful to get used to giving so many bribes to government officials to get what they need for the university, but works tirelessly for three years to finally set it up.

Raghav, now having dropped his promising engineering career for his passion for journalism, exposes the corruption-funded college, but is subsequently fired by MLA Shukla and Gopal from his newshouse.

On a whim, Gopal books a room at Aarti's hotel one evening, convincing her to come visit him after her shift ends.

Gopal devises a plan and, with the help of MLA Shukla, who is now in prison for the exposé on him, invites two prostitutes to his home on his birthday, timing it to overlap with Aarti's 'surprise' visit.