I'll decide if it's a compliment!

She: You must be a big fan of Maniratnam!
Me: Yeah, why? I mean, how do you know?
She: You keep talking in monosyllables. (mockingly) yEn (why)? eppadi (How)?
Me: (looking amused and kinda happy)
[It isn't a conscious attempt, must be his influence at the subliminal level]
She: (Hastily) What are you happy about? I didn't mean that as a compliment!
Me: (screw you. I'll decide if it is a compliment) he he

Very rarely we come across a situation where what the person says means more than what he/she means. This was one such!