No offense, but this feels like an over-scrutinization of the conversation. Truth is, Vishal is weaker than both Rashmi and Asim. It doesn't take a genius to figure this out, and Salman saying Vishal won more votes doesn't change it. Asim spends 24/7 with Rashmi, Vishal, Aarti, and to some extent Sana. Its impossible to show the growth and evolution of each individual bond, especially when the people involved are not the channel's favored contestants.
Its 100% natural to be closer and get along more with one friend than another, but as far as the game itself is concerned, Asim choses to help Vishal and Rashmi backs him up completely in it.
And as far as the Shukla thing goes, Asim has been told seventy thousand times than he made a mistake separating from Shukla. Of course, in the real world, we know he took a stand for his own self-respect, but Salman, guests, callers, everyone are always quick to point out how Shukla is amazing and Asim isn't. Plus, on top of that, add the fact that most of the people he interacts with let Shukla get away with anything and listen to this every word. Eg - Arti, Sana, PaHira. Its a miracle Asim didn't completely flip has Sana has many times. Its an absolute testament to his belief in himself, and mental fortitude to have the resolve to choose not to become close with Shukla after everything thats happened. In fact, he is the one to go apologize first to clear things, yet he is never clingy with him. Asim doesn't want to be friends with Shukla again. What Asim wants is peace of mind.
Once again I'll say, these people spend 24/7 in the house. I'm not just saying it from a footage perspective, I'm also saying it from an adaptation and habit-forming perspective. For the last 4+ months of his life, Asim and Mahira have been seeing and interacting with each other. These don't exist like relationships do in the real world. Plus you're aware of the cameras, so you want to be seen, but not seen negatively, in a show that chooses to air negativity over positivity). One minute two people are fighting over rotis, the next they are cleaning dishes together. This is why I try to never take breakups, patchups, and flips seriously. They are inherently meaningless in the real world equivalent, because in the real world, you and your best friend don't have to nominate each other to save your own @ss, or you and your mother don't have to play from opposite teams in a task that determines if you will be paid for an additional week.