**Title: Stay With Us, Rashmi** **Verse 1** Rashmi, you’re pacing round the kitchen floor Lunch box, school socks, bags by the door Two boys fighting over one remote You’re shouting, “Why am I rowing this boat?” Tears in your eyes when the evening falls You say, “No one listens when their Mum calls” You slam the drawer, say you’ve had enough “I’m going back to India, I’m done with this stuff” **Pre-Chorus** But in this little house in Western Sydney light We’re lost without you when you’re out of sight **Chorus** Rashmi, don’t go to India tonight We need your anger and your love and your fight You say you’re leaving on the very next flight But you’re the heart of this home, you’re our guiding light Rashmi, please don’t say goodbye You’re the reason that we laugh, the reason we cry We know we drive you mad, we still try But without you, this place is just four walls and sky **Verse 2** You’re chasing homework, cricket in the yard Thirteen going stubborn, seven going hard You’re juggling WhatsApp calls back home Swallowed by the distance, feeling all alone You miss the chai with your cousin’s crew The crowded streets, all that colour and noise you knew Here it’s quiet, just the hum of the trains And three silly boys who can’t read your pain **Pre-Chorus** You say, “I don’t belong in this country town” Packing your suitcase, then putting it down **Chorus** Rashmi, don’t go to India tonight We need your anger and your love and your fight You say you’re leaving on the very next flight But you’re the heart of this home, you’re our guiding light Rashmi, please don’t say goodbye You’re the reason that we laugh, the reason we cry We know we drive you mad, we still try But without you, this place is just four walls and sky **Bridge** Maybe we don’t say “thank you” enough Maybe we just see your yelling as rough But every loud word hides a tired heart Every “I’ll go to India” is a falling apart We’ll put down the phones, we’ll clean up the mess We’ll listen when you’re talking, not just say “yes” We’ll learn your favourite song, make your chai just right Hold you when you’re crying in the middle of the night **Breakdown** You say, “I want to go, I want to go home” But home is where your boys are, you’re never alone From Mumbai dreams to Parramatta days We’ll walk beside you through the homesick haze **Chorus** Rashmi, don’t go to India tonight We need your anger and your love and your fight You say you’re leaving on the very next flight But you’re the heart of this home, you’re our guiding light Rashmi, please don’t say goodbye You’re the reason that we laugh, the reason we cry We know we drive you mad, we still try But without you, this place is just four walls and sky **Outro** So shout if you have to, cry if you need We’ll be your soft place when your heart starts to bleed Rashmi, our Rashmi, through the storm and