3x3x3 - Sharada Kolluru

The narrative of "3x3x3" kicks off with three pivotal incidents, each laying the groundwork for the unfolding events. To begin with, DCP Vasudev Manikonda, a member of the anti-terror squad, faces a critical shift to the Narcotics Enforcement Division following a botched operation. Then, at an internal meeting, Peddanna, the drug lord of a Telangana cartel, announces his intention to retire from the illicit trade after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease-a condition he plans to keep a secret. But before exiting the game, he is determined to move one final consignment. And in a seemingly unrelated event, Suryakanth Nadella, a talented speedcuber, suffers a devastating loss when his brother dies from an apparent drug overdose. However, Surya believes that the cause of his brother's death is anything but drugs. Set against the pulsating backdrop of Hyderabad, "3x3x3" intricately weaves together the journeys of three individuals-a seasoned police officer, a retiring drug lord, and a resilient speedcuber-as they navigate a landscape fraught with ambition, deception, and perilous alliances. The title of the story, a reference to the standard dimensions of a Rubik's Cube, underscores the multifaceted challenges and complexities each character encounters in their quest for success. Sharada Kolluru is a writer based in Gurgaon, but she is a Hyderabadi at heart. She lives with her husband, Ram, and their two daughters, Avantika and Akshita. 3x3x3 is her third novel, following Half Single Half Married and Blue Eagle-Cabernet Sauvignon 1988.