Despite everything, she went three days without inquiring about Sa'ade, without stepping into her room, and without checking on how she was doing. Fanna only mentioned that Sa'ade was fine and was learning about cleanliness and other matters.
King Yusuf was well aware of Bilkisu’s stubbornness, so he kept trying to talk to her about Sa'ade. She continued to act as if everything was alright, even though she hadn’t seen the girl since.
On the fourth day, the king came back in the morning before going to court. She was having breakfast alone at the dining table in her dining room. Standing up respectfully, she greeted him in the elegantly decorated living room, and their exchange was warm, especially since she hadn’t cooked for him and they hadn’t seen each other in two days. With the wisdom of an elder, he remarked:
"Why are you eating alone, without anyone to keep you company? Go and call her for me; I came because of her."
With a frown, she responded, "She’s still asleep."
"Wake her up," he insisted.
Reluctantly, she turned and walked gracefully to the room where she had instructed them to keep Sa'ade, as if she were merely fetching an item of laundry.
She turned the doorknob and entered quietly, ensuring she made no noise. Inside, she found Sa'ade praying on a mat, reciting something aloud:
"Basim-mi'ara, alu ambaki wau-zal, wa'aluba ilallan haakuri..."
She then went into prostration without bowing first.
Fulani stood frozen, watching her. Sa'ade finished her prayer with just one prostration and concluded it. It was as if she sensed someone in the room, for she quickly turned and locked eyes with the woman who had been on her mind day and night.
With some effort, Fulani found her voice and asked, "What prayer are you performing?"
"The dawn prayer, Inna," Sa'ade replied.
"Dawn prayer? Who told you it’s time for the dawn prayer? It’s 10 a.m.!"
"I always pray it now. Sometimes I even combine it with the midda."
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