Ahaan is demisexual

I know many people find it odd how AVM can go from all sanskar to romantic. Simple answer - Ahaan is demisexual/demiromantic. He is only romantic with and attracted to Ishqi because of their deep emotional bond. Just putting this out there.

Now that you said it, Yes, it feels so. He was so cold with Rhea, did not even hug her willingly or held her hand.

I did think that he is someone emotional inside and fell in love with Ishqi as she understood that side of him, unlike Rhea who was just trying to fit into his standards to marry him. But your analysis of him does make sense.... Like he was never emotionally attached or even attracted to Rhea, he just dated her as she fits Dadi's bahu standards (or should I say she pretended to ).