He's not doing it consciously, you're right. It's also knew ground for him because he's not good at relationships or has been away from them for so long that he's walking on eggshells when it comes to her. Also, there's only so much prodding Amma can do to get him to pay attention to things like buying her gifts, festivities, etc. He will have to pay attention to her needs.
I don't know if it was Sai's choice to perform it this way, but when Raghav walked up really close to Pallavi to ask if she felt something for him, he seemed almost afraid of the answer yet cautiously hopeful at the same time. It wasn't the yes he was looking for so much as the absence of a no. Does that make sense?
I think he wanted to hear a no from her but he didnt. Also when she was startled and came close to him.. they were really in the moment. That he really didnt want farhad to intrude that he moves away even when pallavi was still holding onto him, whilst farhad lands up. Which is why he tells farhad its nothing... they were having a moment although it wasnt really anything major