Asads reaction to zoyas question, about the other thing just showed what's been on his mind . He was thinking about how upset he was when he thought that zoya was dead and he was trying to figure out why...
He isn't in love yet...
He just realizes her importance.
And the precap just shows hum trying to brush off his mom's concerns.
Zoya will probably misunderstand him and will either start avoiding him or maybe will when leave so she doesn't become a bother for him any more